New award from Morelli's Ice Cream recognises UK's Rising Star

A new award that will recognise young talent in the UK's ice cream industry has been announced by Morelli's Ice Cream in Northern Ireland and the Ice Cream alliance, the UK industry's trade association.

The new Rising Star Award honours the memory of Guido Morelli, who passed away in June 2016, and was a widely respected personality in the UK ice cream industry. He was the chairman of Morelli Ice Cream, based in Coleraine, county Derry and one of the region's pioneers of Italian-style ice cream and sorbets.

Guido was very much at the helm of the Northern Ireland ice cream industry and created hundreds of ice cream flavours for his family business, Morelli's.

The annual award will honour a young member of the ice cream community who has made an impact within the industry in a short period of time and shine a light on their achievements.

The inaugural Guido Morelli Rising Star Award was presented recently at the Ice Cream Alliance President's Ball in Harrogate.

The Morelli family commissioned a specially-made trophy from Ironside Trophies in Lisburn, county Antrim and selected the first recipient of the award.

The deserving winner was 23 year-old Somers Giacopazzi from Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders. He has worked in his family's business, Giacopazzi's, for five years and leads the company's very successful retail offering and manages over 50 wholesale customers. He also has some wins at national ice cream competitions under his belt.

Guido's daughter and Morelli's sales and marketing manager, Daniela Morelli-Kerr said "Dad was a much-loved figure in the ice cream community. He always sought to nurture young talent and we know how proud he would be to have a Rising Star Award created in his memory. Somers is a committed and passionate young man whose star shall no doubt continue to rise."

Pic: The late Guido Morelli of Morelli's Ice Cream remembered in new Rising Star Award.