THE supermarket giant Waitrose is planning to turn its website into a “Facebook for foodies” by adding a social networking facility for shoppers to swap recipes and chat about food trends on message boards.

The plans will be unveiled on Wednesday following the £1m-plus website revamp.

Waitrose, under the leadership of self-confessed “chubby grocer” Mark Price, aims to become Britain’s premier food networking site by allowing the 1m visitors to its website each month to debate hot topics including fair trade, organics and food miles, and trade culinary tips.

Website users will be able to upload recipes and pictures of themselves with their home-cooked dishes.

Price said: “As every foodie knows, sharing advice and tips is a hugely rewarding experience and this is something we want to bring free of charge to enthusiasts.”

Shoppers wanting to buy Waitrose food online have to use Ocado, a separate site part-owned by Waitrose in partnership with several banks.

Waitrose has an archive of 4,500 recipes on its website and plans to add 20 new ones each month.

Following the web relaunch, users will be able to create their own e-scrapbook of recipes, complete with notes, just as they would at home.

Times Recommends

• C&G axed - 1,660 jobs to be lost
• UK house prices rise 1.1% as buyers return
• Mixed reaction to US banks repaying bailouts