We’re super excited to welcome ByRuby to the DBHF family. Created for the exact same reason as DBHF – to give something thoughtful and needed to new mums – these are so much more than just your average frozen ready meal. ByRuby produce hand-made, nutritious frozen meals from ethically sourced British ingredients. And, guess what? They’re delicious – we had to taste test them! Shout out to you Beef Bourguignon! 

We caught up with Co-Founder and foodie, Milly, to find out more about ByRuby and to find out how DBHF customers can send these delicious, fuss-free meals to their friends and loved ones.

Can you tell us a little bit about ByRuby and how the business started?  

When I was pregnant with my first baby, my sister filled my freezer for me with nourishing and delicious food and it couldn’t have been a better present. At the time, Ruby and I were working at Finns on Chelsea Green, Ruby was head chef and I ran the shop. Ruby and I thought how nice it would be to be able to send care packages and bundles of food to friends who had recently had babies or were going through a tricky time. 

Ruby got to work and we tested the recipes on our customers at Finns and worked out that we had something to run with. We took a kitchen in Acton and started making big bubbling pots of casseroles and curries which we then packaged and froze straight away to lock in all the goodness and flavour. We started selling online and gradually began to stock independent retailers in our branded freezers. 

What are your bestsellers and why?  

It’s always the classics – Fish Pie, Lasagne, Chicken Tikka and Beef Bourguignon. People love cosy and comforting food in their freezer. However much I’d like to be more adventurous our customers love fairly traditional recipes, particularly things that are time consuming to make. Most of our customers enjoy cooking and rarely buy other ready meals, they understand how much work goes into making a delicious lasagne or casserole. 

What has been your biggest challenge since setting up ByRuby?

Keeping the food great every time. It’s hard to upscale recipes and keep the consistency, we’ve now nailed it but it’s taken a lot of time and learning. Changing people’s perceptions on frozen is also hard work, we’re making a premium product and the price tag reflects the ingredients and care that goes into each dish. Some people still think of frozen as the cheaper worse quality option which definitely isn’t the case with ByRuby.

We are very excited to be introducing ByRuby vouchers into all of our gift boxes, including ‘Create Your Own’, ‘Create a New Mum’ and ‘Stand Up To Cancer Care Package’ – how does the voucher work? 

When you buy a voucher through DBHF you’ll be sent a card with a code inside. Go to the ByRuby website byruby.co.uk, fill your basket and then enter the code at checkout to redeem your voucher. 

What 5 items would you choose from our Create a Gift to accompany a ByRuby gift voucher?  

I’d choose the salted caramel brownie sharing slice, pink bamboo socks, ‘a little hug’ hot water bottle, rose geranium bubble bath and a pouch of Epsom salts. 

What’s your favourite ByRuby dish?  

I’m always changing my mind, this week I’m mad into the Chicken Tikka Masala but the chicken pie is also delish!

What do you do to relax and take time out?  

I love spending time with my friends and family, a big lunch on a Sunday with the children running riot, lots of delicious food, wine and cheer. 

Thanks Ruby and Milly – we’re so happy to have you on board! Add a ByRuby voucher to any of our gift boxes. Take a look here. 

To subscribe to our newsletter for ongoing news, offers and posts click here