Darlington mum launching Clo’s Kitchen food business

Mum-of-one, Chloe Robson, 27, has set up Clo’s Kitchen after noticing how much food and money her family was wasting each week.

Chloe Robson, 27, with her one-year-old daughter Margot (Image: PROVIDED)

Chloe said: “The idea for Clo’s Kitchen only came about a few weeks ago during a conversation with my partner about how much food we seem to waste each week and how much money we were spending on shopping without really seeing the benefit of it.”

Chloe runs her own dance school, which she says takes up about 90 per cent of her time, while her partner works unpredictable hours. She said this made regular family mealtimes difficult.

Some of the meals that are offered in Chloe’s weekly meal list (Image: PROVIDED)

Chloe added: “Like a lot of families, we often found ourselves ordering last-minute takeaways because it was easier, or eating snack-type food because it was quick and convenient.

“Some days you’ve had such a long day that cooking feels like another task rather than something to enjoy.”

After discussing the issue with friends, she realised the problem was widespread and that existing meal services did not meet the needs of everyday families.

She added: “When we talked about options that already exist, we realised that most batch-cooked meals tend to focus on fitness or diet-style food.

There didn’t seem to be much out there offering proper, hearty home-cooked meals aimed at everyday families.”

Chloe Robson, 27, with her one-year-old daughter Margot (Image: PROVIDED)

Clo’s Kitchen offers a three-week rotational menu including stews, lasagnes and curries.

Orders have to be placed the week before closing on a Friday, with collections available on the Monday evening. Delivery is also available.

Portions are available in small, medium and large sizes and customers can order up to five meals per week. If more than two meals are ordered, the first two are supplied fresh, with the remaining meals frozen.

Some of the meals that are offered in Chloe’s weekly meal list (Image: PROVIDED)

Chloe who is mum to her daughter Margot, who turns two in March, said: “I started cooking and experimenting more when Margot was born, particularly when she began weaning, as I wanted her to grow up eating real meals rather than relying on jars.”

She has also cooked regularly for her dance school at events, fundraisers, parties, Christmas markets and show days and said the feedback encouraged her to pursue the business.

Chloe Robson, 27, with her one-year-old daughter Margot (Image: PROVIDED)

Clo’s Kitchen will also offer monthly Sunday dinners rotating between gammon, beef and chicken, with meals again available in small, medium and large boxes.

Chloe added: “I’ve had plenty of feedback already that I’m definitely a feeder, so customers can expect good portions and great value for money.”

The Sunday dinners on offer once a month (Image: PROVIDED)

Some of the meals that are offered in Chloe’s weekly meal list (Image: PROVIDED)

A soft launch of the Sunday dinners is planned following a food inspection and a social media competition is currently running offering one person the chance to win a Sunday dinner share box for two.

Chloe said the response so far had been positive. She said she hopes to expand the business in future if demand continues.

Orders for next week need to be placed before Friday, January 16. You can contact her on Chlo’s Kitchen Facebook page.