What food from Waitrose do I need to try?

Venison is overrated imo, rather chewy.
Waitrose do some nice "occasional" things, but I wouldn't do my big shop there. Unless you've money to burn, obvs. 😉

Edited to add. Cashmere toilet rolls? I'm going to have to try those next time I'm in there.

I'd like a Waitrose in Ireland.
Can't see it ever happening now with Brexit.
John Lewis was to come but it never happened and with the rise in online shopping and the demise of many department stores it won't happen either.
House of Fraser and Debenhams closed their stores in Ireland in 2020.

A lot of the Essentials range is good, I always buy their ketchup, the no. 1 Greek yogurt is good, I also like the cheesecakes.

I find other other things so much nicer too. The cashmere loo roll is the softest on the market for instance.
Every single member of staff is unfailing polite, so it’s a pleasant experience. If there is ever a problem, they genuinely look to assist rather than a surly exchange.

I find other supermarkets cold and lonely places, but everyone greets the customers in my local Waitrose, and it feels very welcoming even first thing in the morning, and they are extremely nice people on the whole.

A good few people here trying to piss on OP’s parade. She has a voucher, she’s excited to use it – let her, without having to make miserable comments that smack of reverse snobbery. It’s neither here nor there what you think of Waitrose.

Their ready meal curries are really good, £5 each for two and two sides for £12 usually.

Those saying Waitrose is the same as Asda/ Lidl - well obviously they sell all the branded products like those supermarkets, and obviously there's a markup, because it's a premium supermarket. That's how it works.

The difference is that the rest of the stuff they sell is better, and they often have niche products that other supermarkets don't have. Anything fresh - fruit, veg, meat, and generally a lot (not all, but a lot) of their own brand stuff is nicer and better quality than other supermarkets.

Brillat-Savarin. No other supermarket seems to have it.

Hi I have worked at a lot of the supermarkets (buying/ strategy roles). Currently at Waitrose.

I would look at areas you like e.g. bakery and get a couple of items that look enticing and see if they are worth the price difference to you. Some products are more expensive some aren't.

IMO a few of the stand out areas are:
Protein
Sausages
Deli
Cheese
Wine (I won't buy wine anywhere else now)
Anything on the counters
Bakery
Ice-cream
Home baking
Cooks Ingredients
Dried Pasta

WR does have normal brands but also more niche ones like Gymkhana and Ottolenghi - I haven't tried these but heard customers rave about them.

WR essentials tends to be better quality than other supermarkets mid tier ranges.

The meat and fish are excellent. If you can pop in at 4pm on a Sunday there are often superb reductions.

You get these in Sainsbury’s and they’re great. They now also do mango and passion fruit ones.

I did once shop in Tesco, and not to be unkind but this was my experience, none of the vegetables or fruits taste of anything at all. It’s like they freeze all the taste out of everything.

There was row upon row of ready meals, junk food but I couldn’t find all of the ingredients to cook anything from scratch.

I am not a fan of ready meals and walking around there gave me a very indication as to why there is an obesity crisis in this country.

I love the Kerala chicken soup, rarely have it as so much fat in it, but it’s lovely

I don’t have that excuse and could still eat it 12 times a day! 😂

Watercress tzatziki,No1 raspberry tart and the No1 pistachio tiramisu

Oh yes, I love this, especially with the olive ciabatta.

Yes. The cheese.

Beetroot and feta salad with grains 😋

Lidl

My big shop is always Waitrose - where we are other supermarkets are shite for subs. Every now and then I do a basket comparison with Tesck and there's never usually more than a few pounds in it, but we don't buy brands or value range, usually own brand/luxury own brand.

Always always always get the no. 1 Greek yoghurt, prepeeled garlic, deli anchovies, no. 1 chocolate (I love the salted blonde and dark with orange ganache) and essentials bbq sauce. If you're doing a shop this week, the stock brined chicken is 1/3rd off and pork crackling joint is 1/2 price.

If you're interested in wine OP, they do a fab range called loved and found - lesser known varietals. They don't afaik currently carry a skin contact (orange) wine, but the treixaudra has a skinsy feel to it. £8.99 a bottle, which is super value for the quality you get - it's good with charcuterie or a meaty fish like tuna. The No. 1 Amontillado sherry is also great quality.

Their almond croissants are the nicest. Their essential shower gels are good.

If you have a big Waitrose the spooning Gorgonzola is soo good. On the cheese counter.

I'm 8 months pregnant and I could eat it 12 times a day 😂.