When it comes to cooking a Valentine’s Day Meal that ticks all the right boxes for your significant other, here’s a pretty controversial statement – the food itself is largely inconsequential.

Seriously, as long as it’s something they love, and it’s prepared well then you can’t really go wrong. Just figure out what they want and give it a few test runs in the weeks leading up to February 14th and you’ll probably be golden. You could even serve their favourite takeaway if you want to avoid any potential kitchen mishaps.

A day as romantic as Valentine’s Day isn’t about the food; it’s about the details. That’s why we’re going to lavish all of you hopeless romantics with a few tips to ensure that your Valentine’s meal goes off without a hitch.

Prep work is key

The whole point of a Valentine’s meal is to spend time together so don’t waste the whole night in the kitchen. Try to prepare everything beforehand and just add the finishing touches on the evening itself. That’s why steak is such a common favourite – you can prepare the sides in advance and it only takes a few minutes to cook.

Get the liquids right

The food could be perfect but if the wine pairings don’t make sense or the water hasn’t been filtered and is full of limescale then you’re not going to have a very happy other half. Spend some time ensuring that everything they’re going to be drinking makes sense in relation to the meal. And always have a carafe of chilled and filtered water on the table. It makes a difference, trust us.

Mood lighting isn’t cheesy!

We understand you might feel a little conflicted about going all-in on the mood lighting but candles have always been romantic right? Set the scene with a few red candles and dim the lights as much as possible. But don’t go too far as you want to be able to see what you’re doing!

Tidy up

Make an effort with the dining room. That doesn’t just mean getting the vacuum cleaner out either. Lay a nice tablecloth, dust every inch of the room and ensure that all rogue dishes and bits of mess are cleared away before the night begins. There’s nothing sexy about a mess.

It’s more than just a meal

The perfect Valentine’s date should start with the meal but it should never end with the meal. Have a plan for what happens afterwards and plan the event as an entire evening’s worth of entertainment.

Have a backup plan

Finally, sometimes things can go wrong. The oven could suddenly stop working, the takeaway could go miraculously missing on its way to your door or you could suddenly remember your beloved is allergic to garlic. Always have a plan B for your meal and hope you’ll never have to use it.