Traditional and authentic Italian food has become famous all over the world, particularly its pasta based dishes and the use of cheese. The food is mostly combined with sauces, cured meats and antipastos. Italian gourmet food often includes a variety of exquisite cheeses which help produce filling and satisfying dishes and such food is the full flavour expression of the rich history of Italy. Most non-Italians, find this kind of cuisine restricted to the many special dishes that they have become famous for world wide, especially spaghetti and pizza. People tend to assume that the traditional food of this country is all pretty much alike and that there is no such variety in the Italian way of cooking. The truth however is quite the opposite as the cuisine in its entirety is extremely rich and varied.

There are so many recipes which can be found for just pasta. This is a great example of the options in cooking Italian recipes. Meals such as spaghetti and risotto are extremely popular because they are easy to prepare, and offer virtual ready meals for the cook. Pasta happens to be the most popular food item in Italy. Any pasta base can be accented with an unlimited number of additions including sausage, chicken, red and green peppers, fish and a wide variety of other vegetables and meats that create an authentic dish.

However an Italian cooking recipe isn’t just about sticking to pasta recipes and pizza. Its got a long way to go. Find starters such as cured meat and cheeses with fresh vegetables and special Ciabatta bread. Superb salads, beautiful, fresh breads and delicious puddings add on to the rest of the exquisite menus. Roast fillet of salmon served with braised lentils, green beans and a mustard dressing, braised lamb shank served with sage potato puree in a rich tomato sauce, prawns cooked in a tomato sauce with fresh garden peas served with bread. These are just some of the delicious meals on offer.

The first food delivery services started during the Second World War, particularly throughout the Blitz where many homes were destroyed and large swathes of the population were left with no kitchens in which to cook their meals. The idea was developed from the work of the Women’s Volunteer Service who had previously delivered meals to servicemen; transferring the process to families that had lost their homes due to bombing raids.

Following the war the food delivery programmes developed by the Women’s Volunteer Service were continued. It is believed that the first use of the service occurred as early as 1947 in Hemel Hempstead. At this stage, rather than the vans that are used today, the meals were delivered using old prams. At this stage the meals that were being delivered were predominantly pre cooked and kept warm. In the modern age most local councils have developed similar services although predominantly councils now use frozen ready meals rather than delivering hot food.

Whilst it was in the UK that the first food delivery networks were created the idea soon spread around the world. In the United States the inaugural home delivery service for food was created in Philadelphia. From 1954 onwards this service strived to feed those that were housebound, ensuring that they received their quota of dietary requirements and would not go hungry. The Philadelphia model was used across the country, first in Columbus and then New York.

Australians were also quick to realise the benefits of food delivery services for the elderly. The first service in this country was started in 1952, apparently delivered by a woman on a tricycle before the Red Cross took over to ensure supply could meet the demand. Many other services started throughout Australia, including one in Port Adelaide and Sydney. Today food delivery programmes are well established and organised on regional basis.

Today food delivery services are well established in many different countries. Some still deliver hot food whilst others deliver chilled and frozen variants. In some cases volunteers are still the backbone of the service although many councils choose to pay their delivery drivers and chefs. As well as council run operations a number of private sector companies have started delivering frozen meals to people that may not necessarily meet the requirements for free meals.