| Cook Trading Ltd | |
| Foundation: | 1997 |
| Key People: | Edward Perry, Founder and Joint CEO Rosie Brown, Joint Ceo Dale Penfold, Founder |
Cook (officially Cook Trading Ltd) is a Sittingbourne-based manufacturer and retailer of frozen ready meals founded in 1997 by Edward Perry and Dale Penfold. Their founding statement is to 'cook using the same ingredients and techniques you would at home, so everything looks and tastes homemade'.[1] Inspired by the taste of great home cooking, they wanted to find a better way of doing business: working for people and the planet, not just profit. Ed ran the business with his brother James from 2000 to 2009. In 2017 Dale Penfold retired and now Ed leads the business alongside his sister Rosie, as co-chief executive officer.
The company has received over 50 Great Taste Awards for its broad range of meals and puddings, which can be found in 850 independent retailers across the United Kingdom. Cook has four kitchens, where everything is still prepared by hand as stated in the founding statement. There are 94 Cook shops across the country and a nationwide home delivery service that was voted 'Best overall meal delivery service'[2] by BBC Good Food in 2022.
Cook was a founding member of B Corp UK in 2013, part of the global movement of responsible businesses.
Cook is certified by the Living Wage Foundation and has been voted the Best British Food & Drink Company to work for by Best Companies. Their RAW talent[3] programme to help people back into work after prison, homelessness and other challenges have been recognized with a Queen's Award for Enterprise.
Cook's range of frozen meals comes in various portion sizes (typically 1, 2 and 4). They also produce party food, cakes and puddings, low-calorie Pots for One, children's meals, and Indian and Thai ranges. Over 90% of the products in their shops are made by COOK themselves, but they also stock a small range of specialized non-frozen goods supplied by Cotswold Fayre.
Cook has five Compassion in World Farming awards. Most recently Cook was recognized with a Good Turkey Award[4] in 2020 for the work they have done with renowned turkey farmer Paul Kelly to create bespoke standards for their turkeys.
They offer 12 months of 10% off for new parents[5]
| access-date=2023-01-07 | website=www.cookfood.net |