COOK FAQ's
Below you'll find answers to some of our most asked questions.
About COOK | COOK for vegetarians and vegans | Other Queries
About COOK
Who is COOK?
COOK is a British frozen ready meal company founded in 1997. Every meal is hand-prepared by a team of cooks in COOK's own kitchen in Sittingbourne, Kent, using whole ingredients and chef-developed recipes. We do not add any preservatives or additives to our recipes, and are proud to hold B Corp certification, reflecting our commitment to quality, people, and responsible sourcing.
How are COOK meals made?
COOK's meals are made the same way you would cook at home - by hand, from whole ingredients, following recipes developed by the kitchen team. They're cooked fully, then frozen immediately to lock in quality. This is the key difference from supermarket ready meals, which are typically produced at scale using stabilisers and additives to extend chilled shelf life.
Who is COOK best suited for?
Busy households who want proper meals on weeknights without the cooking. Solo diners who want quality single portions with no waste. New parents who need feeding but have no time. Anyone who wants to build a reliable freezer stock of food they actually enjoy, easy to order online and have delivered to your door.
What dietary needs does COOK cater for?
COOK's range includes gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian options - all clearly labelled on every product. We have a great range of meals catering to a variety of dietary requirements.
What does COOK's B Corp certification mean?
COOK is a certified B Corp. B Corp certification means COOK has met rigorous independent standards for social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. For customers, it means choosing a company that takes its responsibilities to its team, its suppliers, and the wider world seriously - not just its bottom line.
COOK for vegetarian and vegan families
How many vegetarian and vegan meals does COOK offer?
Plenty of vegetarian and vegan meals run throughout every category - mains, sides, puddings and everything in between, from a range of cuisines so you never get bored.
Which COOK boxes are best for a vegetarian family?
COOK's Vegetarian Favourites Meal Box is the one of the most popular choices for vegetarian households - a curated selection of COOK's top-rated vegetarian meals across cuisines.
Does COOK cater to vegan families as well as vegetarian?
Yes. COOK's vegan range is clearly labelled and spans mains, sides, and desserts. The vegan range runs alongside the vegetarian range, making it easy to cater for a household where some members are vegan and some vegetarian.
Are COOK's vegetarian meals also gluten-free or dairy-free?
Many are. You can search by multiple dietary flags simultaneously - so you can find meals that are vegetarian and gluten-free, or vegetarian and dairy-free, without checking every label.
How much variety does COOK's vegetarian range offer across a week?
COOK's vegetarian range spans cuisines - Italian meals, Indian mains, Thai curries, British-style pies, Middle Eastern-inspired dishes and more. A household eating vegetarian every night of the week won't repeat cuisines or fall back on the same three meals.
Other queries
Are COOK meals processed?
We make an effort to keep COOK meals fresh and handmade, just like you would at home. Our chefs proudly use only real ingredients in our food, and then freeze our meals as soon as they’re cooked. The way we prepare and cook our meals means that there’s almost nothing processed in our food, but you can check the full list of ingredients on the label or webpage of every product.
How healthy are COOK meals?
When eaten as part of a balanced diet, COOK meals can be a healthy option for a quick lunch or supper. Choosing ingredients that are locally sourced where possible, we make all of our meals freshly by hand just like you would at home then freeze them to lock in all of the delicious flavours.
Does COOK food have preservatives or additives?
We’re proud to never add preservatives, additives, hydrogenated fats and other nasties into our food to keep it as close to homemade as possible. In some cases, you will see these types of ingredients on the labels of our meals - this is because we use everyday ingredients that include their own ingredients. For example, white bread contains an Emulsifier (E472e) and Flour Treatment Agent (E300).
Where are COOK meals made?
We’re proud that all of our meals are British made, with a lot of our desserts coming from the COOK puddings kitchen in Somerset, and the rest of our meals being handmade in our Sittingbourne kitchens.
How long are COOK vouchers valid for?
If you’re thinking of buying a gift card for someone else or received one yourself, there’s no need to worry. All of our COOK vouchers are valid for 2 years, so there’s plenty of time to redeem online or in one of our shops. We’ll even issue you a new gift card or code if you’ve found some vouchers that have expired.
Are COOK meals microwavable?
No, not all of them, but you won’t be stuck for choice if that’s what you need. If you don’t have an oven you can browse the full range of COOK microwaveable meals where you’ll find plenty of singular portions, options for family meals, sweet treats and much more.
Does COOK deliver?
COOK delivery is available in most areas of the UK, which means almost anyone can enjoy a taste of our freshly prepared meals without leaving the sofa. If you want to double check, just enter your postcode to see what you can have delivered to your door.
How many shops does COOK have in the uk?
COOK has over 100 shops or concessions around the UK, which means you probably have one not too far away. If you don’t like ordering online, you can pop into your local shop and browse our delicious meals for yourself.
Can you freeze COOK ready meals?
Absolutely, if you want to save some of our meals for a rainy day, just pop your delivery of COOK ready meals in the freezer and eat when ready. Most of our meals have a best before date of 2-9 months from the purchase date, and many even cook straight from frozen.