Wiltshire farm foods or M&S?

Mojack, the OP says The reason I need ready meals (, I’m only 72 )is the fact that when I work I don’t get home till 8:15 and I really don’t feel like cooking then.

I expect she doesn't want to batch cook at the weekend/when not working.

Definitely Marks and Spencer. My mum in law has them every day but she add a couple of fresh veg to them she is 103 and has had these ready meals for a long time

NotSpaghetti

*Mojack*, the OP says The reason I need ready meals (, I’m only 72 )is the fact that when I work I don’t get home till 8:15 and I really don’t feel like cooking then.

I expect she doesn't want to batch cook at the weekend/when not working.

Shinamae has a demanding job too and I'm not surprised she feels exhausted when she gets home.

Do try to eat extra vegetables with ready meals, though, and there is nothing wrong with frozen veg steamed in the microwave.

I always cook rice, roast potatoes, sliced potatoes in bulk, to freeze in small portions, ready to add to a "ready meal", as the portions aren't that generous.
I also use a lot of sauce jars and packets, and freeze in portions, as well as tried and trusted favourite meals.
My DH has to eat gluten free, so choices for him are limited.

My DH has to eat gluten free, so choices for him are limited.

Aren't they! We were looking for a ready meal for a visiting DD, as we were all in a rush, and there were just two gf choices out of Tesco's large range.

I used to order Wiltshire Farm Foods for my elderly parents-in-law. They liked them at first but very quickly went off them. To me the meals looked small and unappetizing. M&S is my preferred choice, the gastropub range is good but a bit expensive; they do meals for one or you can buy a meal for two, eat one half and freeze the other. Add some nice salad or fresh veg and you have something nutritious and easy.

My very expensive nutritionist looked at them for me and came up with Cook .
We are lucky I have a local shop that sells them I think its usually spar or budgens but known as the village store.
Cook are definitely the best . I like there vegetarian meals too although not a veggie .

Cook and Marks and Spencer are the best if I want a ready meal. Waitrose is good too.
We’ve had Cook delivered too.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with them. Tonight we are having a Waitrose quiche with salad and new potatoes. I’m not faffing about making a quiche from scratch when this suits us well. As I said, my MiL enjoyed the Wiltshire Farm meals but it’s each to their own. We do enjoy Cook and Charlie Binghams especially when the latter are reduced in Waitrose and can be popped in the freezer! At our age, I feel I’ve cooked for years and years so time to take it a bit easier.

Shinamae

I have just taken delivery of £36 order from Wiltshire farm foods, that was for six meals worked out about £6 a meal. I’ve only had one so far the roast beef and I have to say I was not overly impressed.
Please share your opinions with me..

I have tried them twice and never had a good meal. They are just awful, but I know lots of carers who are happy to use them for convenience. Each to their own

FoghornLeghorn

M&S wins hands down. No comparison whatsoever.

I could not agree more

My Mom liked M &S, and the better quality ready meals from any of the supermarkets. She didn’t like Wiltshire, and really hated Parsley Box!
My Uncles both enjoy Wiltshire FF, though. Personal taste really, we are all different.

Due to arthritis in my shoulders, arms & hands I cannot always cook a meal. I have never had a problem with Wiltshire Farm & always have 3 or 4 meals in my freezer. Always enough for me in the main meals. Maybe I am the only one here that is happy with them. Not every meal is for me as I do not eat red meat, havent since a child through choice! Just do not like it but Wiltshire Farm always have many meals that I like.

I guess you get what you pay for. Now that supermarkets tend to deliver, you have more choice. My MIL had Wiltshire.

The difference is that
- they deliver, they do come and fill your freezer for you if you like
- they are balanced meals, easily digested, portioned for the less active
- yes they may be bland, but older folks do have better taste buds, given that our generation tended not to have an overload of spicy foods growing up

My mum (in her 90s) has had Wiltshire Farm Foods for 20 years and likes them.

Cook foods have plenty of gluten free main meals.

Thanks, luluaugust

RosieandherMaw

With all respect Shinamae you aren’t nearly old enough to be reduced to Wiltshire Farm Foods. If batch cooking at the weekend does not appeal, make the acquaintance of my good friend Charlie Bigham

Ha! 😉
I think you might be right I’ve had three of the six meals now very small portions of meat made up with lots of veg
I have bought A Charlie Bingham lasagna that was on offer at Tesco’s feeds two,I think it was £8.50 so that will do me two meals. Wilshire farm, foods are very expensive for what they are. I have had a phone call from the local office and they are sending my complaints to head office so we’ll see what materialises

Shinamae

RosieandherMaw

With all respect Shinamae you aren’t nearly old enough to be reduced to Wiltshire Farm Foods. If batch cooking at the weekend does not appeal, make the acquaintance of my good friend Charlie Bigham

Ha! 😉
I think you might be right I’ve had three of the six meals now very small portions of meat made up with lots of veg
I have bought A Charlie Bingham lasagna that was on offer at Tesco’s feeds two,I think it was £8.50 so that will do me two meals. Wilshire farm, foods are very expensive for what they are. I have had a phone call from the local office and they are sending my complaints to head office so we’ll see what materialises

Charlie Bigham meals are very good but do need to go in the oven. We like them and they do single portions too but, if you want speed and fuel economy, then M&S is probably a good alternative. .

Now, I'm off to 'cook' our M&S curries 😁
Well, I'll have to put the oven on for the onion bahjis and samosas!

I rather like the M&S tinned curries.

This is a box, plus a few extras as there are three of us eating tonight.

I haven't seen the tinned ones.
They used to do chicken in a sauce (not curry) years ago, I can't remember what it was called but it was lovely!

I have just had the roast pork with cider Apple gravy, Supposedly roast potatoes 😩 And carrots and broccoli
Potatoes were not roasted they were soggy all I can say is that this company must be making a hell of a profit as the meals I’ve had so far have been predominantly veg,very little meat…
I wonder if I can buy shares in the company 🤨