Kandy Kitchen

In summer 2017 owners of Kandy Kitchen Creations, Karen and Andy, stayed with friends in a rural part of Canada. Karen was working in the training sector and was looking for something ‘different’ to do just for one day a week.

Visiting local markets, Karen and Andy were struck by products that included dry ingredients layered up in a ‘sand-art’ style, and began working on some recipes sat on the wooden veranda at night, accompanied often by the sound of distant howling coyotes.

The host for the trip was an accomplished graphic designer, so by the time Karen and Andy left Canada they had a logo and the start of a brand, and if you haven’t guessed where ‘Kandy’ comes from yet, it’s Karen plus Andy!

The kitchen table production line of these super simple meal kits soon provided enough stock for a local Christmas market, and with some trepidation they launched their fledgling business in Todmorden, a small town on the Yorkshire-Lancashire border.

One thing with Northerners is the feedback is always straight to the point…and Karen and Andy were amazed that people loved the concept and the way that the first products looked. They even sold some!

Spurred by this initial success, Karen and Andy developed their products and range further, introducing bespoke home-compostable packaging and a range of gluten-free and vegan offerings. Pudding kits soon followed!

In 2019, retail outlets started taking notice and the first products appeared in farm shops and even a petrol station — but most sales came from Karen and Andy attending markets and food festivals and selling directly to customers.

In March 2021 Karen and Andy received a call from the BBC. One of the researchers had tried one of their products and they asked if the couple had ever thought of applying for Dragons’ Den?

Using the mantra ‘what’s the worst that could happen?’ Karen and Andy agreed, and in June they walked out to face the Dragons in the Manchester TV studios. As they had made some sample soup, brownies and shortbread for the Dragons, they asked for a slot just before lunch — the plan worked perfectly as three Dragons offered investment!

The episode was eventually aired in January 2022 and overnight the business generated over 2 years’ worth of online sales. Staff were recruited in double-quick time and Karen and Andy’s lives would never be the same again. The programme was so popular it was repeated at the end of the last series in 2023!

It’s no surprise that Kandy Kitchen Creations have gone on to win a number of awards, beginning in their home town of Rochdale, scooping the ‘New Business of the Year’ award in 2019. Since then, there have been other awards, including ‘Editor’s Choice’ award at the Fine Food Show North, ‘Best Product’ at the 2023 Scottish Fine Food Show and one of the 2023 Businesses of the Year at the FSB North awards.

You’ll find a wide variety of Kandy Kitchen Creations options now available in store, including ‘Super Simple’ soup, risotto, and stew kits. All their packaging is made from Natureflex, a home compostable clear material made from sustainable forests.

Most Kandy Kitchen creations kits simply require water to make them, and each pack serves 3-4 adults. There’s no need to add stock or herbs — everything is included and being dry ingredients, they don’t need to be stored in a fridge. A brilliant option for families in need of a quick, easy to make meal, the camping and motorhome community also love them!