Aparna Bangur, a 42-year-old brand strategist from West Hampstead, has launched Pizza Party, a pizza outlet in Kentish Town, to provide employment opportunities for autistic people. The venture, which began in April this year, is funded from her own pocket and operates from a dark kitchen. Bangur established the business to combine her 14-year-old son Aarav's love for pizza with her hope for his independence, as she worries about how he will 'fit in,' 'make a living,' and 'function' in the future.
Pizza's appeal for autistic individuals
Bangur explained that pizza-making is particularly suited to people on the autism spectrum. "Pizza is something that is quite rhythmic and ritualistic in terms of making and eating. So it works really well with people on the spectrum because you can create clear stations and it's very teachable," she said. She added that pizza is a food that brings joy and brings everybody together, making it an inclusive product by nature.
The business operates from a dark kitchen, a choice Bangur made to keep costs down and speed up setup. She noted that a 'real estate' setting would have been more expensive and taken longer, and she believes that 'good things shouldn't be delayed.' However, she admitted the venture has been a 'learning curve,' and driving sales has been challenging, making the business heavily reliant on delivery platforms like Deliveroo and Uber Eats. Generating revenue is crucial to fund her goal of employing autistic people.
Community interest company structure
Pizza Party is structured as a community interest company, not a charity, meaning it aims to use profits and assets for the public good. This model supports Bangur's mission to fill the gap in employment for autistic people. She is excited to welcome three autistic trainees this month, who will undergo training until July next year, with the hope of employing them full-time. By then, she aims to have a fully functioning 'brick and mortar' restaurant.
The pricing at Pizza Party is notably more affordable than larger pizza outlets, with a starting price of £8.50 for a kid's pizza and the most expensive pizza at £14, compared to nearly £20 at some competitors.
Broader advocacy for workplace inclusion
Bangur emphasised that food preparation is therapeutic and a key part of the curriculum in special needs schools. "A lot of our kids go to special needs schools and it is very much part of the curriculum and food preparation is quite therapeutic. It works on a lot of levels for autistic people," she said. She believes society must be more accommodating to get autistic people into work, starting from the interview process. She criticised the focus on polished cover letters and confident speaking, which are not natural skills for autistic people and take them out of their comfort zone.
"You have to dig deeper, you have to allow more time. You have to create more adjustments in the workplace for there to be employment opportunities," she stated. Bangur also noted that the increased use of AI in interviews is a 'detriment' to autistic candidates, though she is exploring how AI can make the workplace more 'conducive' to autistic people.
Personal journey and advice
Bangur acknowledged that raising an autistic child is challenging, describing it as 'a roller coaster of emotions with unpredictable turns and twists.' She advised other parents "to not give up, you have to keep trying," adding that there are moments of exhilaration and moments of sinking feeling, and it is a test in resilience. She won't feel fully fulfilled until she sees Aarav gaining the independence she is trying to create for him and other autistic people.
