Miss Macaroon’s Behind the scenes at a BBC interview

The Miss Macaroon team is joined today by reporters from BBC Midlands Today, offering a behind-the-scenes look at life behind one of Birmingham’s premier Social Enterprises.

Why have the BBC joined Miss Macaroon today?

This week marks Miss Macaroon’s 10 year anniversary, and as part of the celebrations – which include some exciting product collaborations – BBC Midlands Today are joining CEO Rosie Ginday MBE at Miss Macaroon’s headquarters.

Celebrating 10 years at Miss Macaroon

In a decade, Miss Macaroon has expanded from a £500 start-up cost and a small kitchen space donated by University College Birmingham to a thriving Social Enterprise with a macaroon and prosecco bar in Great Western Arcade.

Miss Macaroon has grown by leaps and bounds, having produced over 2.5 million macaroons in 50 different flavours in this decade-long growth period. The company has catered for global brands, celebrities and royal events. Miss Macaroon’s community work has also made it among the most popular Social Enterprises in the West Midlands.

How macaroons make a difference

As part of Miss Macaroon’s directive to ‘bake a brighter future’, 100% of the company’s profits are reinvested into helping young unemployed people gain valuable skills to help them enter the world of work. Miss Macaroon’s MacsMAD (Macaroons that Make A Difference) training course enables young people aged 18-35 to grow their confidence and gain hands-on experience working in a professional environment.

The scheme helps those with long employment gaps, and those who may be at a disadvantage due to mental health issues, homelessness and learning difficulties. The scheme also helps ex-offenders, care leavers and lone parents.

Miss Macaroon’s CEO Rosie Ginday MBE in the news

Miss Macaroon’s CEO and founder, Rosie Ginday MBE, has been at the helm of Miss Macaroon since the company’s inception ten years ago. As part of the 2019 New Year’s Honours List she received an MBE from Prince William as a result of her services to the community.

Rosie’s inspiration for Miss Macaroon came from her culinary background, having trained as a high-end pastry chef and worked in Michelin-starred restaurant, Purnells.

MacsMAD Graduate Denise talks to Midlands Today

MacsMAD graduate Denise speaks to BBC Midlands Today about her experience with the MacsMAD scheme. Prior to the scheme, Denise faced discrimination due to her struggles with mental health. The MacsMAD course helped her grow as a person, gain confidence and become more motivated. Overall, it’s changed her life for the better.

Kickstart employee Hattie on the BBC

Hattie speaks to BBC Midlands Today about her time working at Miss Macaroon, as she is employed under the Government’s Kickstart scheme. The scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16-24 year olds. Miss Macaroon is currently employing a Kickstart cohort.

Growing our social impact at our social enterprise

In recognition of Miss Macaroon’s place as a valued business and Social Enterprise, the John Lewis Partnership’s Community Investment Fund has awarded the company a sizeable grant. The amount, £150,000, will be used to pay the wages of recent and future graduates of Miss Macaroon’s MacsMAD scheme, and set up the Aspire placement programme.

Company founder Rosie Ginday MBE expects the funding to help support around 60 young people over the next couple of years.

Miss Macaroon’s 10^th birthday week also brings a brand new collaboration with another Social Enterprise, the Tea People. As part of the landmark celebration, Miss Macaroon now offers a ‘Miss Macaroon X Tea People Hamper’, ‘Miss Macaroon X Tea People Orange and Pistachio Macaroon Tea’ and a ‘Loose Leaf Tea Selection’ – all available on the online marketplace. 50% of the Tea People’s profits fund educational projects in tea-growing regions around the world.