A review of COOK frozen foods

Since launching in 1997 Dan Penfold and Edward Perry have opened 49 stores across the UK. COOK’s founding principle was to use exactly the same techniques and ingredients that a good domestic cook would use at home, so everything looks and tastes homemade. Today, nothing has changed and COOK continues to make its meals by hand at the COOK Kitchen in Sittingbourne, Kent. As proof of its handmade nature, the name of the individual chef who cooked each dish is printed on the packaging.

We all have those days where we get back from a long hard day at work and we just can’t be bothered to cook anything, but then we know at the back of our minds that we really should because ordering yet another take away isn’t good for us and traditional ready meals just don’t taste as good as home cooked food. But what if there was a way you could have convenient, healthy, tasty ready meals waiting for you in your freezer when you got home? COOK is the answer! And Cardiff is lucky enough to be the home of Wales’s first COOK store. Located on the very popular Wellfield Road in Roath, COOK is the home of chef prepared healthy frozen food.

With dishes coming in portions of 1, 2, family and party. As well as starters, sides, desserts, kids and baby meals they can cater to every occasion. Plus they stock food from so many different cuisines, ranging from traditionally british to italian, thai and indian meaning you will always find something you fancy.

If like me you have a food allergy or intolerance finding suitable ready meals can sometimes be a laborious and difficult task. COOK makes this easy with a database containing every ingredient in every dish they stock. They were able to give me a list of suitable dishes catered to my specific needs. Their food also has no additives, preservatives or colourings making them healthier than a traditional ready meal.

I was lucky enough to be given a complete meal for 2 to try to I must say I was pleasantly surprise. I can honestly say the meals are beautiful, so flavorful and filling. Their portion sizes are perfect, leaving you full but not too stuffed. And they really did taste like good home cooked food. The cooking instructions were very simple and clear meaning I had very little to do except sit back and wait.

Now their prices aren’t cheap but it works out about the same as buying a decent ready meal from the likes of M&S or Waitrose. With mains starting at around £3.50 and sides from £1.99.

Plus if you can’t get to the store then why not order online at www.cookfood.net - this is a great for a family getaway in the country too. Just have it delivered to your holiday cottage for simple healthy home prepared meals without the hassle of making them.

The food is all seriously good, it really is restaurant quality. Its convenient and easy to cook too. If the prices were just a little bit lower it would have got a full 5 stars, but as it stands it is a little to pricy for a ready meal, unless it's a special occasion. I can see it would be brilliant for family gatherings or big parties though.