Chef Akila

What to know about shopping at Chef Akila

Chef Akila has been hand-cooking Indian ready meals in its Yorkshire kitchen since 2016, and the story behind the brand is genuinely distinctive: Chef Akila herself was born in South India in 1945 and co-founded the business with her son, an NHS consultant doctor, developing recipes alongside doctors and nutritionists. The menu runs to more than 50 dishes — slow-cooked curries, dals and biryanis across chicken, lamb, vegetarian and vegan ranges — plus sides, sauces and combo meals for one.

Everything leaves a 5-star hygiene-rated, entirely gluten-free kitchen, which makes this a strong ready-meal option for anyone avoiding gluten. Dedicated collections also cover low-calorie, keto and dairy-free diets, and meals arrive freshly frozen with ingredients listed per dish, so checking suitability before you order is straightforward.

Delivery is by DPD courier across mainland UK, with free delivery on orders over £59 at the time of writing — worth planning around if you're stocking a freezer, as smaller orders carry a delivery charge. Note that the courier doesn't reach Northern Ireland, the Scottish Highlands or UK islands, so check your postcode before filling a basket. eGift vouchers are available if you'd rather let someone build their own menu.

For the best per-meal value, look at the Chef's Choice curry boxes and party packs, which bundle multiple dishes at a lower price than ordering individually. The brand has sold over 500,000 meals and holds 56 taste awards, including 35 Great Taste Gold stars at the time of writing — unusually well-substantiated quality signals for a ready-meal specialist.

— MoneySaverCodes Team