Sister act Oonagh + Jenny from The Marshmallowist were the first producers of luxury marshmallows in the UK. Having trained as a chocolatier in Paris but starting the business on a portobello road market stall, Oonagh whips up marshmallows with a french soufflé-like texture and a signature London edge. With a flair for the adventurous and a taste for success they now sell their marshmallows to some of Europe’s fanciest stores.
Each little mallow is a work of pure art, hand crafted in their Leeds kitchen by Oonagh herself. This March we've collaborated with them to conjure up two new flavours inspired by our Spring collection, which are boxed up with love and available to buy online just in time for Mothers day. So even if lockdown means you can't be with your Mum this year, we've got you covered for sweet treats.
https://www.themarshmallowist.com
What do you love most about your job?
J - I just love getting to work with my sister and the achievement of us growing something together. Working with my sister is the easiest working relationship I’ve ever had (It probably helps that I’m the eldest) work issues get resolved, they don’t fester. We both have strong values and we wanted a business that was honest, ethical and had integrity. Sometimes it can be tough that there are no boundaries - and work chat carries on through the night and the weekend. But, similarly, time at work can also feel like you’re just ‘hanging out’ and that’s amazing - we’re each other’s biggest fans.
O - The autonomy. It’s our business so we get to run it how we want to run it. I love that we can be creative and experiment with what we do. We’ve built up a business with an amazingly talented team and we can try out new flavours, recipes and ideas.
Where's your favourite hangout?
O - The bar of a busy restaurant at about 8pm on a Friday night. An open kitchen so you can see the kitchen team bustling around, the low hum of chatter and the sound of ice against the metal tin of a cocktail shaker. I cannot WAIT for restaurants to open again.
J - The park…any park! I have 2 small children so parks have been my life line this year. Feeding the ducks, waiting for the swings to become free, dishing out snacks and very slow walks.
What's top of your playlist right now?
J - I have a different favourite band every week and this week it’s Yard Act. I’ve had their single ‘fixer upper’ on rotation. They’re punky, spiky, witty and also from Leeds. I’m really looking forward to seeing them live when we’re allowed back to gigs again.
O - I love having music on all the time but I like it to be calm and soulful. I’m currently listening to a lot of Michael Kiwanuka.
What's your most loved piece in your wardrobe?
O - A vintage beaded jacket that I stole off my sister a few years ago…it’s a ‘going out’ jacket so you can throw it over jeans and a t-shirt to dress them up or over a summer dress as a cover up. It’s my most worn piece and I love it.
J - My Gucci leather belt…it makes even my oldest jeans looks fancy.
How many pairs of shoes do you own?
J - Not enough - I love buying shoes but can very rarely find any that are comfortable enough so they always go back. I love being able to bounce about in shoes and feel unrestricted.
O - 5? I’ve worked in a kitchen since I was 18 so my shoes have always had to be very practical. I’m also very loyal to shoes - I’ll stick with just one pair of shoes until they’re falling apart.
What do your Rogues say about you?
O - That I like attention!
J - That I like big boots and good times.