The founding mission of COOK Trading Ltd was “to make meals and puddings using the same ingredients and techniques as you would use at home” and today – despite many changes in the economic climate and on the high street – that has, and will never, change.

Founded in Sittingbourne, Kent, by Edward Perry and Dale Penfold, the company remains family-owned with family values at its core. It has grown from a single shop in Farnham in 1997 to now having more than 90 shops, a wholesale business, a pudding kitchen, a national delivery service, and running its own logisitics centre.

COOK says it is ambitious for the future, wanting to create a remarkable food company that is a force for good. While the business is proud of its commercial know-how, it believes there is more to life than making money alone. The company is a certified B Corporation, having undergone a tough verification process to ascertain that it is the type of organisation that uses the power of business to solve social, community and environmental problems.

Its shops are actively encouraged to engage with their local community through events and tastings, and COOK kitchens are involved in helping ex-offenders back to work, among other initiatives. Employees are encouraged to get involved in community activities and regularly support charity events.