Two of the city’s most influential foodies are set to share their gourmet tips with start-up food firms at an event later this month/September 16.
Balti Triangle pioneer Andy Munro, the man who put the city’s rich Indian curry heritage firmly on the foodie map will join Michelin-trained pastry chef Rosie Ginday – otherwise known as Miss Macaroon – to help give up-and-coming food companies a flavour of the industry.
They will be speaking in front of hundreds of new British food businesses as part of the day-long Food Exchange, on September 16, at Birmingham City University, organised by small business support group Enterprise Nation.
Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation, said: “Birmingham is the home to some of Britain’s most exciting and exotic food entrepreneurs.
“It’s an incredibly vibrant city where different cultures have met – and learned about each other through food. This event will help the growing number of people we’re seeing who want to build successful food and drink businesses get a taste of how the industry works, how to get in front of the major players, pick up contacts – and get an appetite for success.”
Today, Birmingham’s food culture is one of the most progressive and diverse in the country, according to Andy Munro. Following the boost from the Balti Triangle in the late 80s, early 90s, it’s gone to become a place where new flavours and styles are discovered.
Andy said: “Unlike other cities, the Birmingham and in particular the Balti Triangle, you’ll still find hundreds of independent restaurants, shops and bars. While the development of the Balti put the city on the foodie map, a quick walk around will show how it’s moved on again.
“Today the latest trends are Pakistani dessert parlours and Halal steak restaurants. I’ve even seen new ethnic restaurants reimagining the cottage pie. Food is a hugely important tool that can bring people and cultures together like nothing else.
“It’s great to see innovation being encouraged and supported in food businesses here in the city.”
Rosie Ginday has just raised £120K in loan investment from the Black Country Reinvestment Society and social enterprise supporter Unltd’s Big Venture Challenge.
She’s about to open her own 350sq ft shop in the city selling her Hockley-made macaroons, but also adding a ‘create your own’ service as well as being able to prepare macaroons bearing a corporate logo for important functions. She has two more shops planned elsewhere in the country for later this year, early next.
Rosie will be offering start-ups some tips around getting foodie funding. She said: “Being prepared for investment meetings is vital. Get all the due diligence done ahead in plenty of time because you need to make a good impression and come across as professional as possible.
“You also need to do your research and apply to many different places. I applied to 12 funders, secured
some funding and then they ran out of money, so it was a mad dash because of timings. But because I was totally prepared, everything was fine.”
There will also be a chance to speak to buyers from major supermarkets including Sainsburys and Selfridges as well as meet those who have already sold products successfully including Pippa Murray, founder of Pip and Nut.
