Charlie Bigham's Review 2025: Is It Worth It?
Charlie Bigham's has become a household name for premium ready meals. Found in Waitrose, Sainsbury's and Tesco, they've built a reputation for restaurant-quality comfort food that's perfect for a special night in. Read on to see how it works and whether it's right for you.
Looking for something you can eat every day?
Charlie Bigham's is great for treats, but if you want high protein, healthy meals you can enjoy daily - try HomeCooks. 200+ dishes made in small batches by independent chefs.
Quick Verdict
| Price per meal | £6 - £15 (supermarket pricing) |
|---|---|
| Menu size | 30+ dishes |
| Where to buy | Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Ocado |
| Best for | Indulgent treats and special occasions |
What is Charlie Bigham's?
Charlie Bigham's is a premium ready meal brand founded in 1996. They specialise in restaurant-quality dishes like Fish Pie, Chicken Tikka Masala, and Lasagne that you can pick up from the supermarket chiller aisle.
Their meals are designed for indulgent nights in - think date night, Friday treat, or when you want something special without the effort. They're not positioned as everyday healthy eating, but as a premium takeaway replacement.
Charlie Bigham's Pricing
| Meal Type | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Single portions | £6 - £8 |
| Sharing portions (2 people) | £9 - £12 |
| Premium dishes | £10 - £15 |
Prices vary by retailer. Ocado and Waitrose tend to stock the full range, while Tesco and Sainsbury's carry a smaller selection.
Charlie Bigham's Pros
- Premium quality - Restaurant-style dishes with quality ingredients
- Widely available - Found in major UK supermarkets
- No subscription needed - Buy as and when you want
- Great for entertaining - Impressive dishes without the cooking
- Established brand - Well-known since 1996
Charlie Bigham's Cons
- Not designed for everyday - Rich, indulgent dishes rather than balanced nutrition
- Higher calorie - Comfort food focus means less macro-friendly
- Limited protein focus - Not designed for fitness goals
- Smaller portion flexibility - Mainly single or sharing sizes
- In-store availability varies - Not all dishes in all stores
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charlie Bigham's worth it?
For special occasions and indulgent nights in, absolutely. Their quality is excellent. For everyday healthy eating, you might want something more nutrition-focused like HomeCooks.
Are Charlie Bigham's meals healthy?
They use quality ingredients but meals are designed for indulgence rather than nutrition goals. Expect higher calories and richer dishes compared to health-focused meal prep services.
Where can I buy Charlie Bigham's?
Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Tesco, and Ocado all stock Charlie Bigham's meals. Range varies by store - Waitrose and Ocado typically have the fullest selection.
How long do Charlie Bigham's meals last?
Check the use-by date on pack. Typically a few days from purchase as they're fresh chilled meals, not frozen.
How Does Charlie Bigham's Compare to HomeCooks?
| Charlie Bigham's | HomeCooks | |
|---|---|---|
| Menu size | 30+ dishes | 200+ dishes |
| Best for | Treats & occasions | Everyday healthy eating |
| Price per meal | £6 - £15 | £7.50 - £7.95 |
| Protein focus | Not a priority | 30-60g per meal |
| Made by | Factory production | Small batches |
| Delivery | Supermarket only | Delivered to your door |
Want a Charlie Bigham's Alternative?
Why choose HomeCooks?
Many people start a meal prep service but get bored after a month. The same chicken and rice with a slightly different sauce for the 4th time in two weeks. With HomeCooks it's different.
Because we work with independent chefs and small businesses across the UK, we have constantly changing variety and a huge amount of choice. No food boredom, just great food that's good for you.
- Ultimate convenience - No prep, no cooking, no washing up
- 200+ dishes - More variety than any other meal prep service
- High protein - 30-60g per meal for fitness goals
- Perfectly balanced - Every meal nutritionally optimised
- Super high quality - Restaurant-quality ingredients, not mass-produced
- Independent chefs - Small batch quality, not factory production
- Beautiful presentation - Your meals arrive in lovely bento boxes, like this:
Ready to try HomeCooks?
200+ chef-prepared meals made in small batches by independent chefs across the UK. High protein (up to 60g), healthy, and actually delicious.