Foodiano launches new delivery service

Foodiano, Cambridge’s newest culinary delivery service, is now up and running with local chefs preparing menus from their own premises for delivery around the city and beyond, for £1.20 per mile.

The service was originally set up by Alex Haig, Oliver Gilmour and Sina Fateri in 2019, but trading began in earnest as new chefs came on board this year.

“We were each working in software development in different companies in Cambridge,” says Alex of Foodiano’s gestation, “and we had trouble getting our lunch. That’s how it started.

“Then we found out someone was on a WhatsApp group and they had food to order that was amazing and it seemed like a great idea – handmade food for people that don’t know how to make it.

“We started talking to home chefs to find out what their problems were, and we realised we were effectively creating an online food market, and that’s the model – we want that to be available for everyone.”

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Foodiano is all about promoting its chefs as the stars of the show.

“We call them our local chef heroes,” says the company’s website. “They are as independent as they can get, they are local and their cuisines are handcrafted and flavoursome. Our local food heroes are bringing a taste of authenticity from their culture to your neighborhood. It is a whole lot different experience from a restaurant takeaway. Our vision is to support these local chef heroes by connecting them to every neighbourhood.”

The Foodiano service emerged after the founders settled on two chefs “and we’ve now added three or four more chefs”.

“We allow chefs to use their domestic kitchen to make their food,” continues Alex, “if they’re registered for food and hygiene standards with the local authority.

“Ours so far have five out of five stars, so it’s same regulations deal as a restaurant. The core team is home chefs but it’s not limited to that. We’ll take anybody who works individually on market stalls. We’re looking for food with a personal touch – people making food the old way.”

The delivery charge is £3.99 for a three-mile radius from the city centre, then £1.20 per mile.

“We’re at an early stage, we want to see this all over Cambridge,” Alex, who lives in Fulbourn, adds. “The delivery scheme is still being trialled. A lot of chefs are popular in their own neighbourhoods, and we’re keen to support local economies, so it’s very nice to help growing businesses.”

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Foodiano aims to have 20 chefs on board by the end of the second quarter of 2023, and aims to open in “another town” in the third quarter.

On the menu are options including pastries and desserts, with services for lunch, dinner and events including birthday parties.

Details here.