By chance we had a brochure sent from Oakhouse foods, OH fancied giving it a chance. so yesterday we had a meal each. must say, delicious. Presentation, delivery, cost etc first class. Not only do they do a normal size there is a small size which I had. Super delivery folk and if you say you will be out on your delivery day they also bring a cool box to pack it in and collect it next time. Usual pricing as Super Stores etc, Plus, if your order is £30. or more you get voucher of £5. which is given in cash from the delivery man. Never thought I would be impressed but thoroughly enjoy my Sweet and Sour Pork which cost £2.99, OH said his beef was the best ever. Thought it might be of interest to others. cheers Penny

Glad you liked your food from Oakhouse,Penny.I have seen the advert on tv,but have never tried it.

I was curious enough to check out their website. I can't see me using them in normal circumstances but I've bookmarked the site because they could be useful if I couldn't cook for some reason, like a few years back when I broke my wrist. OH is hopeless and helpless in the kitchen and I got very fed up with supermarket ready meals and the local take away places. If the food's really good, it might be fun to get a load in if you're expecting a lot of guests and don't want to be tied to the kitchen ...

As Oakhouse are based in Wilts, I wonder if it is an offshoot or name-change of Wiltshire Farm Foods whose commercials have been going for years. It used to be Ronnie Corbett and now the lady who used to do Ready Steady Cook. Interesting to read.

Don.t think so vannin as they are in Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire.

At the moment i am still happy at cooking from scratch,but maybe wont be interested at 80 who knows

It's worth knowing about - thanks Penny.

Are they frozen that need warming up in the microwave?

Hi carol, no need for warming, nearly all are cooked from frozen in micro. only a few specially marked to be oven cooked. cheers Penny

A sis in law who is now on her own loves Oakhouse meals and gets them regularly, she's been trying to talk us into trying them, after the discussion on here we may try.

Used them for several years,. I alternate them with Wiltshire Farm Foods. At the moment they are out of favour because of unnecessary packaging (a totally redundant cardboard sleeve! ).

I do find Wiltshire marginally better.

A tip for anyone thinking of using either. Keep the microwave option for curries and other rice based dishes such as risotto. ''Normal" meals are better done in the oven. The flavours meld better.

For Wiltshire it is important to follow the instructions and not pierce the film lid.

Although both based in Wiltshire I think they are franchises and not connected. My local outlets are not even on the same side of the Forth.

Pleased to find someone who has heard of them, I may indeed use them in future again, not keen on giving up my kitchen just yet but good to have a choice. cheers Penny

Certainly worth a try, Penny. Ignore my packaging idiosyncrasies!

In my case it's because I cannot prepare veg but even for you it will sometimes be convenient to have a hot and tasty "meat and two veg" ready half an hour after getting in!

No need to give up the kitchen, plenty of things you can add to - lamb shank, cottage/shepherd's /Cumberland pie etc. In the oven with some part micowaed roast pots and parsnips, together with the veg of your choice, still ready in half an hour. Not as good as prepared from fresh perhaps, but having to stand for less than five minutes is a bonus!

Thanks Laurie, will certainly keep some in the freezer for a just in case day. Guess what happened today, my micro bust so had to order a new one which arrives next Tuesday. Not my year so far. cheers Penny

In my experience microwaves are the least reliable of all kitchen appliances .

Bought our first in '79, I've had to replace more of them than all the toasters, kettle's and so on put together.

Oh dear, I hope my new Panasonic will lst out. My old one was about 12 years old. So, fingers crossed. Take care and keep warm. cheers Penny