COOK Trading is a ready-meals supplier that aims to build nourishing relationships between staff and their work. It wants to foster a thriving workplace community where people can have meaningful relationships with each other, and discover their potential as individuals or in teams.

Its founding mission was “to make meals and puddings using the same ingredients and techniques as you would use at home” and today – despite changes in the economic climate and on the high street – that has stayed the same.

COOK was set up by Edward Perry and Dale Penfold and the company remains family-owned with family values at its core.

It has grown from a single shop in Farnham, Surrey, in 1997, to having more than 100, plus a wholesale business, a pudding kitchen, and a national delivery service, as well as running its own logistics centre.

COOK says it is ambitious for the future, wanting to create a remarkable food company that is a force for good. The business is proud of its commercial know-how but 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 encouraged to engage with their local community through events and tastings. Employees get involved in community activities and regularly support charity events.