If the thought of dry turkey and endless potato peeling fills you with dread, Waitrose might just have the perfect alternative you are looking for. But does this chef-prepared seafood feast justify the luxury price tag?
06:00, 13 Dec 2025
Rick Stein has released a two-course Christmas menu with Waitrose
Christmas dinner is steeped in tradition, but let’s be honest: not everyone actually likes the traditional turkey dinner we spend hours prepping for. For those looking to try something a bit different, or perhaps serve up a showstopper for Boxing Day, Waitrose may have answered your prayers. The supermarket has has teamed up with the premium meal-kit service Dishpatch to offer a new collection of boujee dinner boxes that are supposed to take the faff out of the festivities.
They’ve enlisted a culinary Avengers squad (including Angela Hartnett, Michel Roux, and Andi Oliver) to create nine “finish-at-home” dishes. I decided to test the waters with Rick Stein’s Seafood Celebration, which contains a Lobster & King Prawn Velouté Pie and Classic Fish Soup.
Costing a cool £105 for two courses, it’s far from cheap. The Cornwall-based chef, restaurateur, author and presenter has clearly stuck to his love of British seafood for this menu, but how does it actually fare in my kitchen? And is it good enough to replace the classic Christmas spread? I reviewed the fancy box ahead of December 25th, judging it on ease of prep, quality of ingredients and of course that all-important taste…
READ MORE: ‘I tested Christmas dinner boxes from Aldi, Iceland, and Sainsbury’s – there’s one clear winner’READ MORE: How to make Christmas dinner cheaper and save £30 off your food shopThe box comes with the dishes mostly prepared
The prep
The biggest selling point of the Dishpatch range is the promise of “chef-standard flavours with total ease.” In this regard, the box absolutely delivers.
If you are the designated chef used to the chaos of Christmas morning, this feels like cheating. The soup and pie comes largely prepared; you are essentially just finishing it off. There is no chopping, no making your own pie base, and zero stress.
One detail I loved was the packaging. The pie arrived with its own ceramic dish. It’s a lovely touch that elevates the experience from a “ready meal” to a proper gift or occasion. Plus, you get to keep the crockery, which helps – slightly – to soften the blow of the extortionate price tag.
The Fish Soup came complete with Harissa Croutons
Taste test
Once out of the oven, the soup looked perfectly presented and the pie was golden and definitely a showstopper. But does it taste like Rick Stein cooked it?
This is a world away from supermarket puff pastry bakes. The filling is a rich, indulgent velouté infused with tarragon and parsley that perfectly complements the lobster and king prawns.
It feels decadent, creamy, and undeniably special. If you are looking to impress guests without lifting a finger, this will do the trick. It tastes like a restaurant meal, eaten in your pyjamas.
The Classic Fish Soup made with saffron, tomato, fennel and prawns is served with Harissa Croutons, combining harissa and Parmesan for a rich, spiced twist. Though this was a nice dish, the pie definitely topped it on flavour.
The idea of having two courses to serve takes a lot of the pressure off, but your guests will definitely have to like seafood to enjoy this.
The Lobster pie was definitely a showstopper with delicious pastry
Price tag
This convenience comes at a premium. With individual dishes starting around £25 and the full two-course experience (including the fish soup) costing up to £105, it’s world’s away from Aldi or Lidl’s cheap and cheerful Christmas dinner deals.
While the quality is high, the portion sizes are a point of contention. The box states it serves four, but these are “chef portions,” not “hungry family at Christmas” portions.
If you are feeding a group with hearty appetites, you might find yourself eyeing up the cheese board immediately after the main course. It is undeniably a luxury experience rather than a budget-friendly feed.
Final orders must be made online by December 16 to ensure Christmas delivery
The verdict
The Rick Stein Classic Fish Soup and Lobster & King Prawn Velouté Pie is a fantastic option for foodies, couples, or smaller families who want to ditch the traditional roast for something more sophisticated. It removes the stress entirely and delivers a delicious, high-end flavour.
However, be prepared to pay for the privilege. It’s not a value option, but for a hassle-free, decadent treat (perhaps better suited to Christmas Eve or Boxing Day than the big day itself), it’s a winner.
- Taste: 9/10
- Ease: 9/10
- Value: 6/10
READ MORE: Peep Show cast finally share honest thoughts on cauliflower at Christmas
