Meet Our Makers: Susana Corcoba, From Basque With Love

Susana Corcoba is the Founder and General Manager of From Basque with Love, creators of all natural, handmade meal kits that go from pantry to plate in minutes.

Their handcrafted, lovingly-sourced combos of grains, pulses, spices, fruits, nuts and herbs that spring to life with a bit of liquid. Better still, they support local producers by sourcing as much local produce as possible. All of their ingredients are 100% natural, vegan and free of E-100s (all the bad stuff)!

The From Basque with Love Story is a great lesson in following your passions, doing what you love and taking inspiration from your surroundings. Read on for more!

C&C: Hi Susana! Can you tell us a bit about the early days of From Basque With Love? Where did the idea come from and how did the business get started?

Susana: From Basque With Love was born from a mix of my heritage, my love for food, the reality of juggling a busy life, and my restless entrepreneurial spirit—I’ve always loved creating something new! I grew up in the Basque Country (Spain), a region celebrated for its incredible food and strong traditions. My ‘Ama’ (mum) was always in the kitchen, preparing fresh meals from the local markets. Those early experiences sparked my passion for good food, and it’s stayed with me ever since.

Before starting this business, I worked in fashion. I had a clothing brand, which gave me the opportunity to travel the world and experience a variety of international cuisines. When we moved to Melbourne, I discovered a true foodie paradise—its diversity in restaurants and access to amazing ingredients inspired me to turn my love of cooking into something more.

In the very beginning, From Basque With Love started small - really small. I was doing all the production from my home kitchen, storing everything in our single garage, and selling at farmers’ markets on the weekends. Those markets were where I connected directly with people and saw how much they loved the idea of easy-to-make, handmade meal kits. As the business grew, we started approaching stores in the areas where we did the markets, and that’s how we began expanding. As a working mum, I know how tricky it can be to find the time to cook something nourishing and delicious while balancing everything else life throws at you. That’s where the idea for From Basque With Love came in. I wanted to create meal kits that feel like a home-cooked meal but are easy enough to make even on the busiest days.

C&C: How do you come up with the ideas for the products and decide on the flavours?

Susana: All 12 recipes in our range have been inspired by my travels and the incredible flavors I’ve experienced around the world. I’ve had the privilege of visiting places like Morocco, Italy, India, and Thailand, and I’ve spent quite a bit of time immersing myself in their food cultures. Each destination left a lasting impression on me—whether it was the aromatic spices of Moroccan souks, the comforting simplicity of Italian risottos, the bold flavors of Indian curries, or the vibrant balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy in Thai cuisine.

When developing our meal kits, I draw from those experiences and the dishes that captured my heart. I aim to create flavors that are authentic yet approachable, ensuring that anyone can recreate these global tastes in their own kitchen. I also keep in mind how busy life can be, so the recipes are designed to be easy to prepare without compromising on flavor or quality.

Ultimately, I want our products to transport people—to give them a little taste of the world, whether it’s through a fragrant Moroccan couscous, a creamy Italian risotto, or a zesty Thai curry. It’s about creating something special that feels like a home-cooked meal but with the ease that modern life demands.

C&C: What has the process of getting From Basque With Love ‘on the shelf’ and into retailers been like?

Susana: The process of getting From Basque With Love 'on the shelf' and into retailers has been nothing short of amazing - it's been a true labor of love. Building the brand and getting the product out there took time, patience, and a lot of hard work. We started by focusing on distribution in Victoria and Tasmania, and the acceptance was overwhelming. Our product stood out because it's unique, tastes amazing, and looks great on the shelf. Plus, the quick turnover in stores showed us that customers were loving it too.

We were really proud of what we achieved in Victoria and the local buzz we were generating, but working with Cartel really took our business to the next level. Thanks to their support, we expanded into New South Wales and Queensland, opening up even more opportunities. Before, we felt like a state-based brand, but now we’re proud to say that From Basque With Love is truly a national brand! It's been an exciting journey, and we're thrilled to see our products making their way into homes across Australia.

C&C: In that process of getting the products ‘on the shelf’ and going through that evolution, how did you end up working with a distributor and why did you choose to work with Cartel & Co?

Susana: When it came to expanding beyond Victoria, we knew we needed a distributor to help us reach more customers and get our products onto shelves across the country. We had conversations with a few potential distributors, but none of them felt quite right. That changed when I met Hayssam from Cartel & Co. From our very first conversation, I felt an instant connection with him. His warmth as a person and his professionalism were exactly what we were looking for in a partner. I just knew, right then and there, that we were going to be a perfect match. What’s been even more exciting is that we’ve been able to grow together.

As we’ve expanded into new states, Hayssam and the team at Cartel have been right there with us, supporting our journey every step of the way. It’s been a great partnership, and I’m thrilled with how far we’ve come together.

C&C: If I was brand new to the From Basque With Love world, which product would you recommend that I try first?

Susana: If you’re new to the From Basque With Love world, I’d definitely recommend starting with our paella. Being Spanish and a huge paella lover myself, it’s a personal favorite, and it’s also our best-selling product—so I’m clearly not alone in that! It’s incredibly authentic and so delicious that even my Spanish friends say they don’t bother cooking paella from scratch anymore because they say ours is just as good (if not better!). If you want to taste a true Spanish classic, this is the one to try!

C&C: What do you envision for the future of From Basque With Love as a brand?

Susana: The future of From Basque With Love is all about continuing to surprise ourselves with how far we can go. We’ve already achieved so much more than we ever expected, and we’re incredibly grateful for the journey so far. Looking ahead, our main goal is to find more spots in people’s pantries, making it easier for them to create delicious, wholesome meals that spark great conversations with friends and family. We want to continue simplifying meal preparation so that people have more time to enjoy life’s little moments—whether that’s savoring a glass of wine, chatting with loved ones, or just relaxing after a busy day.

We’re also excited about the possibility of expanding into new markets, and the USA is definitely something we’re considering for the future. The potential to introduce From Basque With Love to even more people, while staying true to our roots, is something we’re really looking forward to.

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