* Cupid’s arrow – it’s Valentine’s Day! The sweethearts at Morrisons supermarket certainly haven’t forgotten about it, but if you have, their affectionate range of treats include strawberry shortcake hearts, gingerbread couples and amorously frosted cupcakes. All are delicious and affordable.

* When the unpleasant weather’s getting you down, no comfort food beats away the winter blues like a roast. Kitchen staff at The Jam Factory on Park End Street know this, and their chef Shaun has started knocking up some massive Sabbath day specials. Every Sunday, a hearty sharing platter containing traditional British favourites can be bought for £12.95. Meanwhile, kids eat for a quid, meaning that the whole family can feast without breaking the bank.

* A new smart phone app will allow generous Oxfordians to treat their friends to a coffee, a pint or even a sausage, all via the wonders of technology. Gift Cannon is a new service that promotes forward-thinking local eateries such as The Big Bang, Turl Street Kitchen and G&Ds – simply sign up at giftcannon.com, choose a worthy friend and shoot some food their way via text, email or Facebook.

* Pizza pioneers Fire & Stone are returning to form this year by reprising their legendary Thursday deals. For £6, you can choose any pizza from their geographically-inspired menu. There are 17 to choose from; gorge yourself with all-American barbecued delights on the Texas (rump steak, caramelised onions), rustic Italian ingredients on the Florence (crudo ham, basil pesto, mozzarella) or aromatic oriental spices on the Peking (crispy duck, hoi sin sauce, spring onions). Booking is recommended so go online at fireandstone.com or call 0844 371 2552.

* Apparently, being Oxford’s only independent music shop isn’t enough for the Truck Store – their very own Keen Bean Coffee Club has started serving up free toast to whoever joins them for breakfast. Simply visit the in-store cafe on any weekday morning for a drink, and the toast’s on them.

* Calling all keen bakers in Oxford for a chance to win national acclaim for their signature recipe, with the launch of a new competition – the Big Bupa Bake Off. Starting on Monday and fronted by the Great British Bake Off finalist Brendan Lynch, the competition is searching for the best of British home baking to become the official ‘sweet bake’ of Bupa Care Homes Communi-tea Week (April 15-21), which brings elderly people together over a cuppa. Log on to bupa.co.uk/ bakeoff and submit a photograph and recipe to enter.