Gluten-free Macaron maker acquired by high street baker

Two Magpies has acquired Love a Taste Ltd, which trades as Hilton Macarons, for an undisclosed sum.

Hilton Macarons – based in Framlingham – was founded by James Hilton and Andrea O’Keeffe, who developed the recipes and created and launched the brand in 2019.

Yasmin Wyatt, operations director at Two Magpies, will lead the integration of Hilton Macarons into the Magpie business.

‘Perfect fit’

Commenting on the acquisition, Two Magpies chief executive Steve Magnall said: “Hilton Macarons is without a doubt one of the best in this space and a perfect fit for us. ​

“This acquisition opens new markets for us and gives us an even greater presence in the gluten free sweet market. We are pleased to have agreed the purchase and look forward to growing the brand alongside the Two Magpies brand.”​

James Hilton added: “We are delighted that Hilton Macarons will join the Two Magpies family and remain in East Anglia. ​

Significant presence

“We have a solid wholesale business and a loyal online customer base, and we are very excited by the enhanced growth prospects for Hilton Macarons given Two Magpies significant High St. presence across East Anglia and access to the resources of a larger group.”​

Two Magpies employs a workforce of more than 100 bakers, pastry chefs and baristas and runs bakery cafés in Aldeburgh, Norwich, Blakeney, Holt, Woodbridge, Beccles, Wells-next-the-Sea and Framlingham, as well as a bake school in Darsham.

Meanwhile, Sysco GB has added Scottish specialist meat supplier Campbell Prime’s Meat into its fold, acquiring the business for an undisclosed sum.​​

Following its acquisition, Campbell’s Prime Meat will continue to operate as a separate business but will now benefit from the support of Sysco, providing the specialist meat supplier with the opportunity to expand its product range and access new customers.