Waitrose responds to demand for authentic Italian

Waitrose has introduced a new fresh Italian range created with chef Angela Hartnett, a move driven by soaring demand for high‑quality Italian food and a growing consumer appetite for restaurant‑style meals at home.

Searches for Italian food on Waitrose.com have risen 46% year‑on‑year, while Italian pasta and sauce searches are up 67%, reflecting a wider shift toward authenticity, regionality and premium convenience.

The retailer said the partnership aims to give shoppers “authentic and sophisticated, yet simple, elevated Italian” dishes, crafted using multi‑generational suppliers in Italy’s Veneto and Pianura Padana regions. The 12‑product range includes filled pastas, sauces and focaccias, all designed to offer a high‑end “dinner for tonight” experience without complexity.

Hartnett said she wanted to bring “delicate and delicious filled pastas, vibrant sauces, spaghetti and comforting lasagna” to supermarket shelves, staying true to her Italian heritage while adding her own signature touches. Waitrose added that the range responds directly to customers seeking restaurant‑quality meals that are quick, accessible and rooted in tradition.

Barbara Ross, product developer at Waitrose, said: “I’ve loved working with Angela on this range. We really wanted to tap into that craving for restaurant-quality food at home, and this ‘Angela Hartnett with Waitrose’ collection is all about bringing those authentic flavours to the table for the ultimate ‘dinner for tonight’ treat. By working so closely with Angela and our trusted suppliers, we’ve crafted recipes that feel elevated but keep that true Italian heart. It’s really about giving food lovers the inspiration to turn a standard Tuesday night into a high-end regional Italian feast that’s actually quick, easy and accessible.”