Contact Us & Help

Does the food arrive frozen on a Home Delivery order?

Yes, always, whether you have a delivery directly from a COOK shop or from our courier. When it’s via our courier it will always be in a heavily insulated box and will stay frozen into the early evening if it has to be left in a safe place. With our other delivery service, you will need to be in to accept delivery as these arrive in carrier bags and need to be put straight into your freezer.

How long will the meals last in the freezer?

Our meals have a Best Before Date of 3-5 months from purchase – that’s different from Use By dates, meaning our food won’t be unsafe if that date has recently passed, but it might not be quite as flavoursome and quality may be compromised.

Do you have a sourcing policy?

We do indeed – it’s very important here. We buy ingredients like a good home chef, taking into account animal welfare, freshness, price, sustainability and food miles. Our rule of thumb is that we don’t like dark corners: if we can’t look a customer in the eye and tell them where an ingredient comes from, we don’t use it. Find out more about our sourcing and ingredients policy here.

If you have any specific questions about sourcing, drop us an email at edwardanddale@cookfood.net

Which of your dishes are gluten-free or dairy-free?

Quite a few! You’ll find our GF dishes here. Our gluten free recipes are suitable for coeliacs, although they are not Coeliac UK Approved.

You'll find our DF dishes here. All are free from milk and other dairy products and are suitable for people on a Dairy Free, Milk Free or Lactose Intolerant diet.

Why is COOK not organic?

As a mid-sized company, we’re too large for many organic suppliers, and we need consistent supply of quality ingredients that is not readily available to us. And, there’s no getting away from it, organic ingredients tend to be a lot more expensive.

Do you make meals for vegetarians and vegans?

We do! And we encourage non-veggies to eat them, too – eating less meat is better for the planet as well as your health. We’re expanding our meat-free range and you’ll find the range here.

Our Kitchen can’t currently be accredited by the Vegan Society, because we don’t have a designated area to prepare vegan dishes, but we do have a growing range that most vegans are happy with. Explore it here.

How do you minimise contamination when handling allergens?

As we use quite a few allergens in our Kitchen, we carefully clean all utensils and equipment between every recipe we make. In addition, we aim to cook specific allergen dishes on specific days. We do not use peanuts in any of our recipes.

Can I transfer your food to a ceramic dish before cooking? Will the cooking time change?

You can – that’s a great option if you’re serving, say, a lasagne at the table. We sell dishes that fit our dishes perfectly (ask in-store), but be aware this might require a slightly longer cooking time. Just make sure everything’s piping hot before serving. We suggest you add an extra 5-10 minutes, but just keep an eye on it. So long as it’s piping hot all the way through, it’s ok.

How much salt do you use?

It varies from dish to dish and you’ll find the information on the label. COOK makes food like you would at home, so we don’t add MSG or preservatives, but still quite a few of our dishes should most definitely be seen as treats when it comes to levels of salt, sugar, saturated fat and so on. We are currently working on our nutritional agenda, so we’re not just keeping an eye on our salt levels, we’re working to reduce them where possible. You’ll find all our meals that are under a 1/3 of an adult’s daily Reference Intake (RI) in salt, sugar, fat and saturated fat here.

Why do you add sugar to savoury dishes?

Most of the time the sugar that appears in the ingredients is sugar that naturally occurs in ingredients, like honey or dried fruit. But many traditional savoury recipes include added sugar, too. For example, it can bring out the sweetness in tomatoes, help balance flavours, and offset any sharpness. We are keeping an eye on the amount of sugar we use and are trying to reduce it whenever possible, just like you would at home.

You claim not to add e-numbers and additives, so why are they in the ingredients for some COOK meals?

We never put any additives or preservatives into our food, but we do sometime use everyday ingredients that include some additives in their sub-ingredients. For example, Worcestershire Sauce contains Tamarind Extract, and White bread contains an Emulsifier (E472e) and Flour Treatment Agent (E300). We always investigate additive-free alternatives, where possible.

One strict rule is all products must be free from the following:

• Hydrogenated fats

• Genetically Modified Organisms

• Monosodium Glutamate (E621)

• Colours: Sunset yellow (E110), Quinoline Yellow (E104), Azorubine; Carmoisine (E122), Allura Red AC (E129), Tartrazine (E102), Ponceau 4R (E124)

Are all your meals microwavable?

No, not all of them, but you won’t be stuck for choice if that’s what you need. You’ll find a complete list here.

If I’m putting more than one meal in the oven, should I adjust the cooking time?

Yes, the cooking time will likely need extending a little. It’s also worth moving them around half way through, to ensure everything’s cooked evenly. Check every dish is piping hot all the way through before serving.

What should I do if a meal has defrosted?

Keep it in the fridge, don’t refreeze it. It needs to be cooked and consumed within 48 hours. Follow the cooking instructions on the back of the pack and ensure your meal is piping hot all the way through before serving.

If some or all of your order was defrosted upon delivery, please contact us.

Can you reheat the meal once you’ve cooked it?

With our official hat on, we have to say no. Our ready meals are ready-to-cook so once you have cooked them once, they should not he heated again.

Where do you deliver?

Almost everywhere in the UK. Enter your postcode to check here.

We don’t deliver to Ireland, or the Highlands and Islands as unfortunately our courier company don’t offer a next day delivery service for these areas and, with the food being frozen, it’s simply not possible at the moment.

What’s the minimum order for Home Delivery?

£40, depending on your delivery service – enter your postcode here to find out.

How much is Home Delivery?

It’s free if you spend over a certain amount, depending on the service in your delivery area – enter your postcode here to find out. Otherwise it’s either £5 or £6.95. We have two different services for home delivery: the £5 local delivery comes in a COOK van from one of our shops; if you’re not near a shop, the £6.95 national delivery comes via a courier. There is a higher charge of £8.95 for Saturday deliveries via our courier.

Can I select a specific time slot for my delivery time?

If your food is coming via our courier, we can only offer a slot between 8am-1pm. If you won’t be in then, there is the option of leaving it in its special packaging with a neighbour or in a safe place.

If your food is being delivered by your local COOK shop, we can specify a two-hour time slot the day before the delivery is due. However, it’s essential you’re at home to receive it.

If the time slot we have sent you is not convenient then please call our delivery team as soon as possible on 01732 759020.

How will my food arrive?

If your order is coming to you via our courier (we use APC) it will be packed in special insulated boxes and dispatched by overnight courier. If it is delivered in one of our COOK Vans it will be delivered in bags to you. In both delivery methods the food will arrive frozen.

Do I need to be in to receive the delivery?

It depends if you’re near a COOK shop, or whether it comes via a courier.

For a delivery from your local shop, you do need to be in, as your order won’t arrive in insulated packaging.

If your postcode is covered by our courier service, your food will come in insulated packaging, so we can leave it somewhere safe. You can specify in the ‘delivery instructions’ box at the checkout, so the driver knows where to leave it, which can be a safe place or a neighbour.

Why can’t I order some dishes for delivery?

If your delivery comes by our courier service unfortunately some dishes are not available as we want to make sure everything arrives perfectly and some dishes like our puddings, cakes and canapes don’t travel well, even in insulated boxes.

How do I change my delivery date or address?

Just give us a call on 01732 759 020. We’ll need at least 48 hours’ notice.

If an item is missing or damaged, can I get a refund?

Just call our Home Delivery team on 01732759020 and they’ll be able to help.

Will the driver help me unpack?

If it’s coming from your local COOK shop, then our driver will be happy to lend a hand. However, if it’s delivered by our courier, we can’t guarantee they’ll be able to help.

Can my delivery be left in the freezer in my garage by the driver?

If you’re not near a COOK shop, your order will arrive in frozen packaging from a third-party courier, so the driver won’t open the box and unpack the contents unfortunately.

Can I buy COOK meals as a gift?

Indeed. It’s always worth checking the recipient has room on their freezer and will be home when the delivery arrives. If you’re not sure what to choose, Gift Vouchers are a much better option.

You can add a message if you are buying as a gift at the checkout stage. Tick the Gift Order box on the Special Instructions page and enter your message. We'll make sure we don't include the price on the delivery note, too.

Do you deliver every day?

No, just Tuesdays to Fridays, and on a Saturday morning for a small surcharge. But not at all on Sundays or Mondays. Please check the days we deliver to your area by entering your postcode here. We do not do next day delivery at the moment.

Why do you use black plastic trays when you can’t recycle them?

In theory they actually are recyclable, and they are made from partially recycled plastic. In practice, very few councils in the UK recycle any plastic that isn’t clear. The technology to do so has been really expensive. For years, the biggest challenge has always been finding a tray that is both food safe and can go straight from the freezer to the oven. Until recently there hasn’t been a realistic alternative to plastic. However, the technology is finally catching up and we’re currently working on a trial to replace our plastic trays with a fully recyclable, paper-based version, similar to the kind we introduced with our new pie range last autumn. We’re going to start using it with all of our Kids Meals, and it will then take a while to be sure that it’s robust enough for us to use more widely. Until the trial is complete it’s hard to give a realistic timeframe but we should have a good idea of the potential of the new tray material within the next few months. If all goes well, we’ll get the ball rolling as quickly as we can.

Is your packaging recyclable?

If you have home delivery packaging the outer cardboard box is recyclable the inner liner and gel packs are too. The outer box is made of cardboard and should be recyclable at any cardboard recycling centre or doorstep collection. The liner is made of sheep wool and is bio-degradable. Simply empty the gel packs down the sink (the contents are completely non-toxic) then take them to your nearest recycling centre or supermarket - they're made of the same material as a normal supermarket carrier bag.

Our product packaging and the cardboard sleeves on our meals are recyclable, however our black plastic trays are rarely accepted by local councils.

Why have you changed your 4-portion packaging?

The food inside hasn’t changed at all, it’s the same recipe and portion size. We’ve just made the packaging narrower and deeper so that it fits into the freezer better.

What do I do if the plastic film comes off during cooking?

If you put it back on carefully (watch your fingers!) then it’s just like piercing the film lid, so it won’t make a difference. Otherwise, it may mean the meal will be little darker than normal or that the sauce may reduce further, but it should be fine.

Can I eat the product if the film has come off/tray is cracked?

It’s very unlikely that it’s been contaminated, but we wouldn’t suggest you risk it.

Why have you changed your 2-portion takeaway packaging?

The packaging is just narrower and deeper, so it is the same amount of food and the same recipe. It just fits into the freezer better!

Is the plastic tray safe to cook food in, specifically in a microwave?

Yes, the trays we use are BPA-free have been tested to ensure they are safe.

Are the gel pack contents that come with a Home Delivery safe to go into a septic tank?

Yes, they are non-toxic so you can just pour them down the sink.

Are the gel pack contents safe to drink?

Seriously? Well, it’s non-toxic: a water-soluble gel, purified water and a tiny amount of chlorine to keep it sanitary. But, even though it won’t cause any lasting health issues, it’s not for drinking. So don’t.

How do I find a COOK Store or stockists?

Enter your postcode into our Shop Finder which you can find here. At the moment, we don’t have a comprehensive list we can send out.

Can I check stock available in your stores?

Yes, just enter your postcode in to the front of the website where it says ‘Start Shopping’ and choose a shop for collection. The stock availability will then update as your browse through the ranges online.

How do I see what is stocked in Concession outlets?

If you use our shop finder it’ll give you a basic idea about the range available at your local stockists. If you’d like more specific information, you’ll need to call the stockist directly. Please be aware that you can’t request for specific items to become available at a stockist as they’re required to order from a set stock list.

How do I become a Stockist?

Read this, fill out the form at the bottom of that page, and our Concessions Team will contact you with further information.

Do you have an info pack on becoming a Stockist?

Sure. Please email our Concessions Team at concessionsadmin@cookfood.net and they can send you further information.

Do you sell food to be resold in cafés or restaurants?

It isn’t something we generally offer as we don’t sell our meals to be resold hot for food service. However, fill in the contact form here and our Concessions Team will respond to you from there.

How can I become a Franchisee?

We’re not looking to take on any more Franchisees for the foreseeable future. Sorry.

Why are you not opening any new Franchise stores?

We’re focussing on opening company-owned COOK shops.

Do you do gift vouchers or a gift card?

We do. We have a physical COOK Gift Card or COOK E-Gift Card that can both be used in any COOK Shop or Online.

How do I buy a COOK Gift Card?

You can order online. Visit our Gift Card page, or you can call Customer Care on 01732 759010 and place an order over the phone. The Gift Cards are also available to buy in a COOK shop, but the E-Gift Card can only be bought online.

Can I order a gift card from abroad to be given to someone in the UK?

You can, although please read this carefully. Our website isn’t currently set up to accept a foreign postcode when registering your address with us. So you'll need to use the UK postcode for delivery to create an account (just make sure you give your name, email and a contact number, in case we need to get hold of you). When you come to entering the delivery details, use the same UK postcode again with the corresponding address, along with the recipient's name and delivery phone number. The billing address is only used for our customer records, so this won't affect the order at all.

Do I have to spend the whole amount of my gift card in one go?

No you don’t. Any remaining balance will stay on the gift card for next time you want to use it.

How can I check the balance of my online gift code?

You can’t currently do this yourself online, so call Customer Care on 01732 759010 and they’ll tell you.

I’ve found some old gift cards that have gone out of date – can I still use them?

Sure, we don’t want them to go to waste. All you need to do is contact Customer Care on 01732 759010 and they will either extend the expiry date on your online code or take the details of your shop vouchers and liaise with your local COOK shop to make sure they know to accept them when you do pop in.

Can I change my shop vouchers for online vouchers or visa versa?

Certainly. Please contact Customer Care on 01732 759010 and they will happily arrange this for you.

How can I spend my gift card online?

There is a code on your gift card or e-gift card that you can use against an order. If you have a physical gift card the code is located on the reverse and is a long string of letters and numbers. Just remember to scratch off the panel to reveal the final section. For an e-gift card the code is on the email and the PDF. Please make sure you use all the characters including the hyphens.

Can I use a COOK Gift Card in an independent shop that stocks COOK food?

Unfortunately our Stockists are unable to process our COOK Gift Cards and discount codes as they are independent to COOK.

Can I send the gift card or e-gift card to myself to give to the recipient in person or will that affect the gift card?

No, that is no problem at all. We need the name and address or email address only to send the gift card, the only message we print on the gift card is the gift message and the gift code is not linked to a specific customer.

How long does it take for my gift card to arrive?

Our e-gift cards are an instant service, so once the order is placed it will only take a few moments for the e-gift card to arrive. If you would like the e-gift card to arrive on a specific date we recommend you sending the e-gift card to yourself first and then forwarding it on the day. Our gift cards are being processed within 2 working days and sent Royal Mail First Class.

Help! I’ve sent the voucher to the wrong Address/Email Address!

In the event of this happening, please contact us on 01732 759010 as soon as possible so we can cancel the voucher before it is used and reissue the voucher with the correct details.

Can I use a promotional discount voucher as well as a gift card?

Yes, you can use your gift card code in conjunction with another voucher code like the New Parents discount or a welcome code, but you can only use one promotional code per order. You cannot use discount codes on the purchase of a gift card.