Family-owned frozen food retailer Cook has defied the economic gloom to post a 101% rise in pre-tax profits to £1.3m in the year to March 2012.

The upmarket business, which has 60 standalone stores as well as concessions in farm shops and independent retailers, saw sales jump 20% to £26.5m last year, according to The Sunday Times.

In the past year, Cook opened 13 stores in locations including London and Cardiff.

The Kent-based company, which also manufactures frozen food products, has over 400 employees.