Ooh, new Waitrose in my area, recommend me your favourites please!

[dazedandblue]

A new Waitrose has opened near me and I'm heading over for a browse today. I haven't stepped foot in one for a long time!

What are your must-buy items? Best own-brand stuff, hidden gems, things worth the extra cost? Also any bakery/deli/cheese counter recommendations?

Basically don't want to just wander round aimlessly and miss the good stuff - give me your Waitrose wisdom!

The own brand orange juice lollies.
Black Bomber or any of the other cheeses from that brand especially Red Storm, their incredibly yummy Red Leicester.

Yogurt! And buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes, avocado and basil. And some black rice for a Nigella Summer recipe 😋

Get yourself on the app! It give me discounts on things I regularly buy and pretty good freebies. My recent freebies have been £4 off a shop, one of their deluxe pizzas, a Gu dessert, and a packet of scones.

Their Belgian Choc all butter Cookies. No other cookies come close

I couldn't believe how wonderful their raspberries were the other day, the best I've ever eaten.

Duchy Organic as others have also mentioned.

Pineapples - ours has the king size and medium size to choose from. Both delicious.

I really like Waitrose because the layout is so calm and user friendly, and the staff couldn't be nicer or more helpful.

For me it's just the brilliant range of ingredients for someone who cooks a lot of international foods from scratch

I was very excited to find actual dashi powder in there after I got back from Japan recently.

They sell the Bold Beans range at a reasonable price and often on offer. The farm shops round here charge the earth. They also stock bottle green and belvoir cordials, often on offer.

The No1 custard is the best custard in the world ever!

Wildfarmed seeded sourdough round.

They prioritise organic and animal welfare more than other supermarkets do, which I really value. I am willing to pay more so the animals can have a higher quality life than they would otherwise, plus I am keen on organic products generally.

I'm not very near them , but worth a trip for me near Christmas .

They'd have someone in the carpark when it's busy letting you know where a space is .
No token for the trolley . (used to have child sized mini trollies which mine loved when they were little , I think they've gone now )

One busy pre-Christmas shop , they ensured there was a gap left up to the tills so people could walk by , Of course loads of shoppers thought "oh , short queue" but they were shifted to then end of the queue down the aisle .

No1 lemon curd. DO NOT open it until you are ready to use it. If you go anywhere near it with a spoon in the area, it just disappears - very odd...

Brazilian ground coffee.

Hello @dazedandblue <waves to fellow Chelmsfordian> no recommendations but I might see you in there!

Oh I forgot, essentials lemon multi surface cleaner and essentials hand wash. I like their cling film too.

Still prefer the lemon curd 😋

Wow I need to get some of that coffee shortbread!

Until a week ago I would have said Alvalle gazpacho from the chiller cabinet but my branch has stopped selling it 😢

Bonne Maman apricot compote. Divine on porridge.
Raw Bean decaffeinated beans
Their own brand No 1 chocolates.

I didn't like the coffee shortbread

Their stone baked French bread is "as close as you can get to a proper one, in a supermarket" says DH. I'm gluten intolerant and they sell a tasty "free from" apple crumble in the freezer section of you ever have a coeliac visitor, OP!

I honestly think their own food is average and expensive for what it is. Avoid their baked beans ( grey beans) and hummus.
All their “fresh bread” comes in part baked. Tesco and Morrisons bake from scratch.
M&S is the only premium brand I’ve noticed where things taste better.

They do stock a much wider range of ingredients (that aren’t their own brand) so really good for niche spices and sauces.

British farmers have to confirm to the highest standards anyway including animal welfare. Waitrose aren’t doing anything special there.

I believe animals can be kept indoors? So not really the “highest standards”. Waitrose has won awards for its animal welfare.

https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/content/sustainability/animal-welfare?srsltid=AfmBOorMbzxijGpxT7Da5kBeNqTXicKt9CR6DT8vNOmQ2-M5oXbxkLOG

@fundamentallyauthentic It’s great all their own label meat is British for that reason.
I see they have also made all their pork and lamb free range now which you’re right, is a step up.

Do you have the App? The Treats arrive in there. They don't send out vouchers

It's free and easy to use

Can confirm the No1 Greek yoghurt was amazing this morning with the raspberries
And DS is obsessed with the No1 Pecorino and Truffle crisps

Cinnamon knot biscuits. But be warned you will want to scoff the whole box in one go 😋

I’ve just spent £137 in Waitrose mostly thanks to this thread 🙈

From this thread, I got…

• the mushroom and mascarpone pizza
• coffee shortbread
• white chocolate ice cream
• avocado, mozzarella, tomato and a basil plant!
• the white eggs

Unfortunately they were out of stock of the pineapple and coconut lollies, maybe next time!

Apparently I am only £3 off the £250 spend this month - does anyone know what the reward is?

The Essentials pink grapefruit shower gel is fantastic.