Valentine’s Day is a date on the calendar which has had a long association with food and cooking. It is said Valentine was the name of a physician (also alleged to be a gastronomist) who made his medicines more appetizing by adding herbs and spices. Valentine was imprisoned for his religious beliefs in the third century, but before he was executed on February 14th he sent his beloved a note, signed ‘from your Valentine’, and the tradition has stuck. Since then many people like to go that extra mile for Valentines and cook a romantic meal for a loved one.

There are lots of ways to add those extra special touches, from the food selected and the cookware used, to the way in which the finished dish is presented. The most popular Valentines ingredients that are said to have aphrodisiac effects are: oysters, asparagus, champagne, strawberries, and chocolate – which was once banned from monasteries for being too risqué! Also commonly associated with Valentines is the heart shape, so combining these two aspects are sure to gain your partner’s affections.

If you’re feeling adventurous and preparing an evening meal for the one you love, dinner can be served wearing a heart covered apron – clothing is optional! Just the thing for cooking and serving your meal in is the Love Hearts range from Polie Pottery, which is all dishwasher, microwave, freezer, oven and Aga safe. Tarts and pastries can be cooked in heart-shaped fluted flan tins from Alan Silverwood Ltd; which are still made in the UK.

Delicious deserts can be made in Le Creuset heart shaped dishes, and you have the perfect excuse to make them as chocolatly as possible. Cupcakes can be fun, made in appealing cupcake cases, decorated with sugar hearts and served on pretty Emma Bridgewater love heart plates. However, if you don't have room for dessert on this occasion an Emma Bridgewater heart shaped sampler tin would be perfect for storing those cakes in. Go on – have a bash at preparing a feast, and I’m sure cupid will be kind to you this Valentines.