There are those who say that midday is the weekend of every day, that small break when revolutions slow down, one can breathe more calmly, and obligations patiently await the afternoon. In an office job, however, this break can end up becoming anything but a relaxing moment. A poorly made tupper rushed in the morning or a sandwich from the bar below the office end up being the most chosen options for lunch. Going to a restaurant requires more time off and, frankly, no one has an hour and a half for lunch in an eight-hour workday. Nora Real Food Cooked Daily saw an business opportunity in the stress of not being able to eat quality food in the office. Determined to undertake, Nora Barata opened the first digital canteen at 50 years old, together with her daughter Nora Vallcorba. This year, the company has more than 150 physical, hybrid, and digital canteens throughout Barcelona and its surroundings; to demonstrate that you don't need an hour and a half to enjoy your lunch break at the office.
Barata had always wanted to be a cook, but at the time it was not exactly a professional career chosen by many women. Reluctantly, she ended up studying business, but always with cooking as a hobby. After years dedicated to the business world, she decided to undertake alongside her daughter, but she did so by giving life to a project that could perfectly combine her passion for cooking and her past in the business ecosystem. Nora Real Food Cooked Daily is a company dedicated to delivering quality food to offices. "The idea comes from a trip to London where they discovered that large private banking buildings had canteen service," explains Albert Solé, CEO of the company. He joined in 2019, a year after it was founded, but even so, he also has the title of co-founder. Since his arrival, he has worked hand in hand with the founders to make it a sustainable, fashionable, and affordable company in the Barcelona business ecosystem.
At Nora, they work in two very clear areas that change depending on the size of the company. Their digital canteen can serve companies with between 10 and 200 employees. The physical canteen is installed in the clients' own offices when they are companies with more than 400 employees. The model is simple: a company makes the carefully prepared menus elaborated by the company available to its staff, and they can order whatever they fancy. "The payment model varies depending on the company," says Solé, who adds that "there are companies that pay for lunch for their employees, others that only pay for a part, or some that only provide the service." From there, a subcontracted company arrives at the offices with the dishes prepared in biodegradable tuppers ready to be eaten once microwaved.
"Physical canteens are already more than half of our turnover"
Regarding the physical canteen, the idea arose in conversations with a large Catalan company: Mango. Recognizing the company's interest in their services, they saw a business opportunity to work with larger companies. However, the digital canteen in these spaces was much more complicated to manage logistically. That's why they had the idea of moving the chefs to the offices. In other words, setting up a real canteen, with all the company's menus and the necessary alterations. "It was a gamble that currently accounts for more than half of our turnover," argues the CEO of Nora Real Food Cooked Daily. In parallel, they also have a hybrid model for companies with between 200 and 400 employees, which consists of food cooked at the central kitchen, but with a part of the preparation done in the canteen of the company in question.
One of the things that makes Nora most interesting is the food. Far from resembling other deliveries or kitchens, this company opts for local produce and well-cared-for dishes. Solé explains that they have a product department that is responsible for designing the menus and everything that entails. They feel committed to people, which is why they have alterations to practically all dishes so that everyone can eat them. The product is fresh and prepared not to spoil when reheated in the microwave. For the brand, it is key that people can enjoy good lunches and homemade cooking from the office. In addition, they also feel a strong social commitment that has led them to always work very closely with people at risk of exclusion and some refugees. They even have a collaboration since the beginning of the company with the Down Syndrome Foundation.
Madrid and 12 million on the horizon
Barcelona has been the city that has seen this company born and also who has provided it with clients for this exponential growth. In 2025, the company closed the year with about 10 million euros in turnover, a figure that consolidates them as a clear option for offices when choosing what and where to order food. However, with this more solid base and a more than consolidated model in Barcelona, Nora wants to take another step in its roadmap. Although they already have the capacity to supply companies throughout the province of Barcelona, says Solé, the next city to conquer is Madrid. According to the CEO of the company, they could land there at some point next year. In addition, they have also set the goal of achieving 12 million euros in turnover in 2026, "maintaining sustainable, orderly growth and faithful to their way of doing things," the brand specifies.
Good nutrition has taken over our lives since the pandemic. More and more people no longer want to eat just anything fast in front of the computer. On the other hand, they also don't have time to go to a restaurant. Nora Real Food Cooked Daily presents the answer to all these changes. An easy, didactic and affordable canteen with homemade, quality and sustainable food. With 120 employees, the company has made a name for itself in the Barcelona business ecosystem thanks to its innovative idea, but above all, its unbeatable cuisine.