Valentine’s Day is once again upon us marking a time that is usually a busy and lucrative one for the…
Valentine’s Day is once again upon us marking a time that is usually a busy and lucrative one for the catering industry. According to data analytics company GlobalData, last year Valentine’s Day spending in the UK was estimated to be worth £1bn – a large portion of which will have no doubt been spent on dining out.
This year that number is likely to rise yet again, prompting catering professionals to do all they can do attract diners. With that in mind, here are some of our favourite ideas from the Country Range team for catering ideas that your guests will love!
Sharing Platters
While sharing platters on menus are often advertised to large parties and families, they can be the perfect dish for Valentine’s Day. These dishes are ideal for two people to split between them, creating an intimate atmosphere that’s perfect for a romantic meal.
The Country Range Chicken and Chorizo Tostadas may not strike you as the most romantic sharing dish of choice but they are perfect for couples as they aren’t as messy as other “romantic” dishes, such as oysters. The street food style platter allows for plenty of conversation as diners make their way through the individual tostadas.
Cocktails
Everyone loves a tipple on Valentine’s Day, with most restaurants offering a free glass of champagne or prosecco to entice diners. To stand out from the competition, why not create a bespoke cocktail or two to mark the occasion? Or you can give some of your existing drinks a romantic twist for the big day.
To really commit to the theme, any cocktail that is pink or red in colour will do, you can simply give it a name that fits the theme. A classic drink like a Chambord Royale is the ideal addition to your menu for the occasion, if it isn’t something that you already serve. Combining the luxury of champagne (you can also use prosecco or sparkling wine) with Chambord, give this drink a beautiful dark pink colour and sweet taste that will delight guests.
Decadent Desserts
No Valentine’s Day meal would be complete without a decadent dessert to finish the night. Chocolate has long been considered an aphrodisiac, making it the ingredient of choice for any romantic dessert. In terms of rich, decadent, chocolate desserts, you need to look no further than then Country Range Chocolate & Cherry Mousse Cake. This decadent dessert features a chocolate sponge base topped with a creamy Belgian chocolate mousse, finished with a layer of cherry sauce, chocolate brownie pieces and dried cherry pieces.
Sticking to the theme of decadent desserts, your guests will no doubt love having one or two non-chocolate option to choose from too. Proving chocolate isn’t the only hero when it comes to indulgent sweet treats, strawberry and prosecco take centre stage in our Premium Frozen Strawberry Prosecco Charlotte. It features a prosecco laced sponge layered with strawberry compote and white chocolate truffle mousse. The dessert is then finished with strawberry mousse, fresh strawberries and white chocolate shavings.
To really wow your guests, you also go down the route of creating a dessert specifically for Valentine’s Day. Offering the perfect balance to indulgent ingredients, you can create a fresh, fruity dessert using yet another Valentine’s Day favourite: strawberries. To really showcase this fruit, use our recipe for Vanilla Panacotta with Strawberries for a sweet dish that’s creamy and delicious without being overly filling.