THE FOUNDER

Alex Menargues

The result of years of development

The Founder Story

Since I was 13, I’ve been obsessed with personal growth, ambition, and building something meaningful. Over the years, I explored countless ideas—some failed, others I was simply too afraid to take the financial risk on. But when the concept of YOU was born, everything changed. I stopped hesitating and took the leap. Built with an uncompromising standard for detail, this brand is the result of years of working quietly behind the scenes to turn a vision into reality.

The Philosophy Behind YOU

Cooking is more than just preparing food; it’s a personal ritual. YOU wasn't created for logos or showing off to others—it was created for you, in your own home. When you put on The HomeCook Polo, you enter a clear mindset: zero distractions, absolute focus, and complete confidence in your space. No aprons that ruin your style, no worrying about stains or where your towel is. Just pure functionality, quiet confidence, and an elevated silhouette that carries seamlessly from the stove to hosting your guests at the dinner table.

Prototype 01

Prototype 01

Driven solely by a vision and zero budget, I set out to build the first version with my own hands. Finding the right fabric felt impossible. I even ordered samples from China, but nothing met the standard.

Refusing to stop, I hand-sewed this initial piece with my grandmother’s help. The polo was never finished because the fabric wasn't right, but it proved the idea was worth pursuing.

Prototype 02

Prototype 02

I reached out to dozens of manufacturers across Portugal searching for someone who understood the vision. I finally connected with our current manufacturer, who helped translate the initial ideas into a real sample.

While they included every feature requested, the overall concept and execution still felt far from what I envisioned. It wasn't ready, but we were finally moving in the right direction.

The Final Polo

The Final Polo

Months of relentless iteration followed. We carefully selected the signature color, integrated our stain-repellent technology, and perfected key details like the utility towel loop and hidden pocket—discarding unnecessary features that compromised the elegancy.

The result is what you see today: high-end European craftsmanship built specifically for the modern home cook.

The HomeCook Polo

Designed in Spain and ethically manufactured in Portugal, The Homecook Polo defines an entirely new category of culinary apparel. Born from an obsessive development process, it combines premium European craftsmanship with an uncompromising standard for quality and attention to detail.

Built from a custom fabric blend—cotton for softness, polyester for long-lasting durability, and elastane for maximum comfort while cooking—it features our advanced Stain Repellent Technology. Integrated with purpose-driven details like the dedicated utility towel loop and a discreet hidden pocket, it offers the ultimate balance between high-performance utility and an elevated silhouette.