Kirsty’s Story
Hi, and thank you for visiting our website. I’m Kirsty, a real mum from Lancashire and founder of Kirsty’s range of healthy ready meals.
I started my business 10 years ago when I discovered my son Jacob was allergic to nuts and intolerant to gluten and dairy. After initially panicking and worrying that he would go hungry, I began exploring free-from-food options. I soon realised that many of the safe food products for him were not particularly healthy. So I had to make everything from scratch.
Jacob became a big fan of my healthy, free-from-ice cream, and that’s when I had my ‘eureka’ moment – I realised I had created something I could sell to other people. I went on to launch my ice cream in health food shops across the UK. Trying to juggle work, parenthood and making ice cream, I took a leap of faith and entered the Dragons’ Den in 2010. You may remember it – I was the one who cried happy tears!
For the next 3 years, I worked with Peter Jones and Duncan Bannatyne. What an experience that was! As the business developed, the demands on my time increased significantly. As a busy mum, I tried to buy healthy meals for those evenings when the time was short. I soon realised that ready meals were packed full of hidden sugars and salt, and Jacob had no free-from alternatives. So I decided to launch a range of healthy, chilled, ready meals that everyone, including people with food allergies, intolerances and Coeliac Disease, could enjoy.
I rebranded as Kirsty’s in 2012, the first range of my naturally healthy, free-from chilled ready meals launched into supermarkets. The whole range is carefully designed to be nutritious and satisfying but packed full of taste.
I’m not a dietitian or a qualified chef, but I care passionately about what goes into our food. I don’t think our meals need gluten, wheat or dairy to taste delicious; that’s why you’ll never find them in our recipes.
Where next? After 10 years, 2020 is the year my business dreams become a reality (even Covid-19 can’t stop me!), and I finally get to own my state-of-the-art 100% allergen-free food factory!
I have worked with some great co-manufacturers over the last 10 years, but I have always wanted to make entirely allergen-free meals and completely control my destiny.
I am proud of my amazing team, who have worked (socially distanced, of course) so hard throughout a global pandemic which hit us mid-build!
This is a new chapter for Kirsty – and I can’t wait to get into that NPD kitchen and have more exciting news!
Before I sign off, I want to thank all the fabulous customers who have supported us over the last few years and a warm hello if you are new to Kirsty’s brand. As I mentioned, we love hearing from you, so let us know what you think!
“Cottage Pie Continues To Be Lucas’ Firm Favourite!”
Having allergies can be difficult to cater for on days out and when the family are on the go. However, Kirsty’s are great for taking out and about with you, so you are never caught out. Not only are the meals healthy and nutritional, but we have found Kirsty and her team to be friendly and offer us some great advice as we try and work our way through our allergy journey.
“Kirsty’s Provided The Perfect Solution!”
When working shifts, you’re often on the go and need to grab something quick and not many high street chains offer dairy and gluten free options. I know I can grab a Kirsty’s meal if I’m running late for work and don’t have to panic that I’ll end up with something that could make me ill!