A HAMPSHIRE woman has started up her own business to tackle obesity by offering to cook meals for families.

Alicia Storey, has been cooking for over 11 years and decided to set up her own business after a friend was struggling to find the time to cook fresh food for her four children because of her busy work life.

Now, along with the help of her aunt, Anita Milson, Miss Storey has been cooking up a storm at Etiquette cook shop in Alresford to demonstrate easy recipes using the freshest ingredients.

“With the UK reported to be buying one in three ready meals sold in Europe and with obesity, diabetes and many other problems on the increase and family time on the decrease I feel it's an issue that needs to be tackled,” she said.

Miss Storey, 29, of Shepherds Road, Bartley in the New Forest, put on a range of demonstrations at her aunt’s cook shop on Saturday (January 11) cooking gnocchi and chorizo, honeycomb, and spinach, chick-pea and aubergine curry.

“It was really my friend who started me off,” she said. “Her kids were fed up with eating frozen mash and so I said I’d cook them a week’s worth of meals that they could easily re-heat when they were ready. It gave them all a chance to sit down as a family without the hassle but the food they were eating contained fresh meat and vegetables. I’d never heard of half the stuff she had in her freezer!

“I want to offer restaurant style but wholesome favourites to customers at their home. Whether it’s for a dinner party or just to relieve a bit of pressure it’s about getting the family back around the table for a healthy, nutritious dinner.”