Marks & Spencer is standing firm behind the £195 price tag of a luxury beef wellington created in partnership with celebrity chef Tom Kerridge, despite significant online debate about its cost.
The retail giant insists the premium product has been a resounding success with shoppers, with stocks nearly depleted on their Christmas Food To Order page. However, the substantial price point has sparked considerable discussion across social media platforms.
Customer Reaction and Online Debate
Social media users have expressed strong opinions about the Collection Fillet of British Beef Wellington, which is designed to serve six people. One critic remarked, "It's not just overspending on Christmas, it's M&S overspending on Christmas."
Another commenter suggested, "I think it would be justifiable if it included Tom Kerridge to do the cooking and cleaning up." Meanwhile, a third user questioned whether the pricing was connected to the recent cyber attack M&S experienced in April, speculating: "M&S trying to recoup some of that cyber attack loss by charging at least twice too much for a bit of fillet."
How M&S Justifies the Premium Price
An M&S spokesperson provided Sky News with detailed justification for the product's cost, describing it as "the absolute best quality wellington we've ever created."
The supermarket emphasised the exceptional ingredients and craftsmanship involved. The hand-butchered British beef fillet undergoes a 17-day maturation process before being carefully hand-rolled with portobello mushroom duxelles, silky chicken breast mousse, and black truffle - preparation methods typically reserved for high-end restaurants.
Weighing over 2kg, the luxury item represents M&S's premium offering for the festive season. Despite the controversy, the company reports strong sales performance with limited availability remaining.
Competitive Landscape and Market Context
The M&S beef wellington sits at the higher end of the market compared to competitors. Fortnum & Mason, renowned for luxury food items, sells a Classic Beef Wellington serving six to eight people for £120 - significantly less than the M&S version.
For budget-conscious consumers, Charlie Bigham offers a ready meal beef wellington at approximately £30. Meanwhile, Gordon Ramsay's restaurant experience provides context for dining-out pricing, with his Beef Wellington Experience costing £95 per person for a three-course meal at two of his establishments.
Sky News has reached out to Tom Kerridge for additional comment regarding the product and its reception. The ongoing discussion highlights the continuing debate about premium pricing in the grocery sector, particularly for special occasion products during the festive season.
