A new local food business is helping residents across Leamington, Warwick, Kenilworth, and surrounding villages to enjoy home-cooked meals, with a focus on helping people maintain their independence.

HomePlate was founded by business partners Tracy and Lisa after a simple idea emerged from a desire to help Tracy's elderly mother eat well.

Lisa, who previously ran the Oxford Cafe in Leamington, began preparing extra meals for Tracy's mother after Tracy noticed her mother was struggling to cook and her blood pressure was rising.

Tracy shared: "As my mum got older, she started relying more on ready meals, and I noticed every time she went to the doctor, her blood pressure was getting higher and higher.

"So I went to see Lisa and said, 'Look, what are you cooking here? Can you please make some extra food and cook for my mum?'

"I asked if she could freeze the meals so I could collect them once a week and make sure my mum was getting proper food."

Then, another family member approached Tracy, asking for similar support for a relative who was unwell.

The pair soon realised their idea could help many more people, and they decided to turn it into a business.

Reflecting on a talk she had with Lisa, Tracey shared: "We had a chat one night, and I said, 'Look, there's got to be a market for this', because people are trying these days desperately to stay independent at home."

While HomePlate supports older people who may struggle to prepare their own meals, the business also caters to busy workers, families, people living alone, and those recovering from illness.

It also offers options for people with specific dietary requirements, including vegetarians, vegans, and those with food allergies or intolerances, as well as high-protein meals for people who regularly go to the gym.

Lisa prepares all the food from scratch at a commercial kitchen at the former Oxford Street cafe, with the business recently achieving a five-star food hygiene rating.

Tracy added: "Lisa cooks everything from scratch. There are no artificial additives or preservatives in the food, and we can accommodate all allergies and dietary needs.

"People are becoming more conscious of what they put into their bodies, and that's a very important part of what we do."

All meals are delivered frozen, allowing customers to store them conveniently and heat them when needed. The meals have a freezer life of three months, similar to food prepared and frozen at home.

Unlike mass-produced alternatives, Tracy said the business was committed to remaining local and providing a personal service to its customers.

She explained that she currently carries out the deliveries herself, giving her the opportunity to get to know each customer and understand their individual preferences.

The visits can also provide an additional layer of support for some customers, particularly older people living alone.

Tracy highlighted: "I want to get to know each person, what they like and what they don't like.

"For some of them, I do welfare che on. I deal with a family member and will always drop their extended family an email afterwards if I've noticed anything out of the ordinary.

"Even if it's down to the TV not working or the doorbell not working, just little things like that can make a difference.

"I've got parents who are elderly, so I know what really makes a difference."



The business operates across Leamington, Warwick, and nearby villages, with customers able to get in touch by phone, email, or through its Facebook page to discuss their requirements and arrange meals.

Tracy said the aim is to offer a friendly, reliable local service while giving people greater choice over the food they eat.

She added that HomePlate was not intended to be a national operation, but rather a community-focused business providing freshly prepared, home-style meals to people who need them.

HomePlate can be contacted by email via [email protected], Facebook page, or phone.

More information can also be found on the HomePlate website.