While experimenting with recipes during COVID-19, CESJDS parent Nava Pickman found a love for making marshmallows. Soon after, Pickman decided to start experimenting with marshmallows and ended up creating The PoshMallow, a kosher and allergen friendly marshmallow brand.“The more I thought about it, the more I realized how friendly they [marshmallows] are for people who have food allergies,” Pickman said. “So it would be a great way to share that with people.”

Pickman has always loved cooking for others, and making things that anyone can enjoy. When she began to make marshmallows, she loved that she was able to be creative and share her love for sweets with others. Additionally, she liked the fact that marshmallows were something that brought joy to people and were an easy gift.

Pickman’s marshmallows have gotten positive reviews from others as well. After getting to try them at a faculty appreciation event, biology teacher and Freshman Dean Melissa Andrew was impressed by The PoshMallow and their products.
The PoshMallow uses all natural and high quality ingredients in order to relay the brand’s goal of being transparent in what they use in their products. Pickman created her flavors by experimenting and sharing her ideas with family and friends when she first created her brand.

Currently Pickman is the only formal employee of The PoshMallow, so she runs the brand on her own. Part time intern Noa Schwartz helps her with some of the tasks of running a business, however most of the work is Pickman’s responsibility.

While her workload is heavy, Pickman enjoys the freedom of creating her own schedule and original ideas.

“[I like having] the ability to be creative every single day and to go where my heart leads me, [and] having the flexibility to shift strategy or schedule as needed,” Pickman said.

Because she enjoys getting together with friends and family to share treats with them, it was easy for Pickman to get opinions on her products while experimenting in 2021. These initial reviews helped her eventually start the business using the feedback she received.

The PoshMallow is unique because it is free of many common allergens and is made with kosher fish gelatin. The marshmallows do not contain gluten, nuts, dairy, eggs or sesame, making them an easy treat for all to enjoy.

The brand is currently sourced out of a private kosher kitchen that is not currently certified, however Pickman is looking to expand into a certified one. While she keeps strictly kosher and everything she makes is kosher, she aims to get official kosher certification for her product.

Pickman intends to expand her brand by moving it into a certified kosher kitchen and by continuing with her passion for making treats for others.

“It was really lovely to get to try something new from our community, and it was very good,” Andrew said.