Ryan Panchoo, inspired by his children’s allergies, founded Borough22 Doughnuts, offering inclusive sweet options.
- Borough22 Doughnuts provides gluten-free, vegan, low-sugar, Halal, and Kosher certified products, available online and at Selfridges.
- Motivated by his children missing out on treats, Ryan aimed for foods that are safe, visually appealing, and uncompromised in taste.
- Success has turned Borough22 from a side project to a full-time venture with aspirations for global reach.
- A special Grenadian-themed box was created for Black History Month, celebrating Ryan’s heritage.
Ryan Panchoo, the CEO and founder of Borough22 Doughnuts, embarked on a mission to create what he calls the ‘most inclusive doughnuts in the UK.’ His journey began when his two children, at ages two and six, were diagnosed with complex dietary requirements that made enjoying conventional treats almost impossible. This propelled Ryan to develop Borough22, a company offering sweet delights that cater to a variety of dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegan, low sugar, Halal, and Kosher certifications. Available online and at Selfridges, London, these doughnuts aim to be accessible to everyone, including those with multiple allergies.
The idea for Borough22 emerged from Ryan’s personal experience, seeing his children unable to partake in treats during playdates and social gatherings. Ryan recalls, ‘The children were going to these places with all their friends… And they would go to these spaces and they would see their friends having all of this amazing food and they couldn’t get involved. So it broke my heart.’ Recognizing a broader need, Ryan founded the company on three fundamental pillars: ensuring the safety of the products, creating visually appealing treats, and maintaining unyielding standards of taste.
Initially, Borough22 began as a side project, but it quickly grew into a full-time business following encouragement from an employer and Ryan’s redundancy from a previous job. With a financial cushion from his redundancy package, Ryan decided to pursue his venture wholeheartedly. The name Borough22 was inspired by his residence in Plumstead, Greenwich, recognized as the 22nd borough of London, drawing a parallel with the known districts of New York City.
A significant breakthrough for Borough22 was establishing a partnership with Selfridges, where the doughnuts have been a staple for over nine years. This collaboration not only elevated the brand’s visibility but also emphasized the importance of allergy awareness among its staff. Ryan emphasizes the universal necessity of such inclusive products, stating, ‘There are so many people out there who are undiagnosed, and so many people out there who are diagnosed not just with a single allergy but with multiple allergies.’
With the advent of Black History Month, Ryan crafted a special Grenadian-inspired selection, celebrating his family’s roots in Grenada, known as the ‘isle of spice.’ This included innovative flavors such as isle of spice ring doughnuts, mango glazed doughnuts, and chocolate and plantain doughnuts. Reflecting on his 10-year journey, Ryan is optimistic about the future, aiming to expand beyond the UK to global markets, highlighting that ‘Allergies are not discriminatory. They affect everybody all over the world.’
Ryan Panchoo’s journey highlights the essential role of inclusive food options and the potential for global expansion in addressing diverse dietary needs.
