You can let a food allergy control your life – or you can turn it into a fabulous business opportunity.
When Verena Scrimshire’s 18 month old son Finlay was diagnosed with a food allergy, rather than resign herself to thinking about what he couldn’t have, she put a positive spin on the situation, creating healthy fruit lollies for Finlay (now 2) from her home in Mapperley and so the nice lolly company was born. So successful were the lollies with friends and family that she soon began selling to the public at food markets around Notts.
Verena has always loved making food ‘I have very fond memories of my Winnie the Pooh cookbook that I got when I was about 6 years old. It’s what started me baking and I used to make sweets for my friends and family. Peppermint creams were my favourite. I also used to help my Nan in her pub kitchen whenever we went to visit. Well, I say help, not sure how much I hindered her really but I really enjoyed it’ Finlay’s allergy to cows’ milk and sensitive to gluten however meant a complete overhaul in the kitchen department was required and the ideas followed.
The unique healthy retro-shaped fruit lollies are made with pureed fruit, water and unrefined sugar (plus other natural ingredients) and come in strawberry, mango coconut and lime, rhubarb and stem ginger, plum and almond, pear and redcurrant, tutti frutti apple and blueberry, raspberry mojito, citrus gin, peach and prosecco, raspberry and vanilla and blackberry daiquari and contain no artificial colourings or preservatives.
So where does Verena get her ideas for flavours? ‘I really enjoy using seasonally available and locally grown produce, and I’m keen to work with local farmers/allotments/gardeners next summer. People are being very kind and giving me their home grown gluts of things like apples, pears and plums and so I think about what pairs well with them. For example the Plum and Almond Lolly is very similar to a Bakewell Tart – a more tarty Bakewell Tart! Pear and Ginger is a classic that just works. Strawberry is a British summers day on a stick – beautiful. Mango, Coconut and Lime reminds me of travels in India & SE Asia.
I experiment with different flavours all the time, that’s part of the fun of making ice lollies. A recent big hit was another plum one. I joined it with star anise as a Chinese inspired lolly for film night I was involved in. It went down very well. I think having a mix of great tasting classics and some more unusual combinations works for my customers. They’ll quite often try 2 or 3 at an event! I’m currently researching Christmas flavours for some new winter season lollies, clementines, dried fruits, mulled wine and marzipan…so many delicious options. I’ve also approached a couple of local alcohol producers about using their product in my poptails. If anyone is interested in supplying me then contact for a chat…’
A selection from the nice lolly company are currently on sale at the Broadway Cinema.
For more information visit: www.thenicelollycompany.co.uk
Twitter: @thenicelollyco
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thenicelollycompany
By Tanya Louise Raybould
Food Editor
@foodnottingham
@tanyalouiseray
