Three Northern Ireland producers succeed in National Ice Cream Championships

Three Northern Ireland ice cream producers have won recognition for their products in the National Ice Cream Championships organise by the Ice Cream Alliance (ICA), the industry’s trade organisation.

The successful local companies were: Lick Gelato of Newcastle, county Down; Maud’s Ice Cream, Carrickfergus; and Morelli’s from Coleraine, county Derry. Lick’s delicious toffee ice cream beat all comers for the Mercanonio and Pre Gel Trophy in the most prestigious ice cream competition in the country which has been running for 76 years.

“We are absolutely over the moon and back with our award,” said Lick’s co-founder Simon Welby. “When we were watching the presentation live it was a state of near disbelief and elation at the same time when we were announced as the winner. This award is a massive deal and achievement for us as a very young business in the ice cream world.”

Lick Gelato specialises in handcrafted artisan gelato and was founded by Simon, Jo-Ann and Seth just six years ago. They spent approximately a year developing their own, secret recipe at Loughry College with the help of their technical team before opening their shop on Central Promenade. Lick employs a total of eight staff.

Lick won the Marcantonio and Pre Gel Cup for its toffee flavour and two Diplomas of Merit for its dairy ice cream and chocolate flavours.

Northern Ireland’s oldest and most decorated ice cream producer, Morelli’s gained a silver award for its vanilla; a Special Diplomas of Merit for chocolate;  and Diploma’s of Merit for amarena cherry; hazelnut crocky; and for its mango and libero strawberry vegan.

Naldo Morelli’s, managing director of Morelli’s, a supplier of ice cream to supermarkets and other outlets throughout the UK and Ireland, said: “The recognition from our industry is an immensely encouraging boost in what has been a very challenging time for us and other producers.”

Maud’s Ice Cream in Carrickfergus also gained a Diploma of Merit in the Dairy Ice Cream category.

The championships are normally held at the Ice Cream and Artisan Food Show in Harrogate which attracts hundreds of products. Because of the pandemic the show was cancelled for the second year in succession

“The ICA decided that despite lockdowns and severe restrictions on trading we needed to show our sectors resilience by continuing with these annual awards,” Zelica Carr, ICA chief executive, said.

Ice cream parlours and vans had also been adversely impacted in this pandemic, losing a total of £289 million in income in 2020.   “That is just the tip of the iceberg when you add lost ice cream sales in cafes, restaurants and hotels and the economic impact to businesses along the supply chain – manufacturers, flavour houses, wholesalers and others. That is why the ICA has launched Great British Ice Cream Staycation campaign, in which Pinks Parlour is participating, to support ice cream sales in the hospitality sector,” she added.

Simon Welby, founder of Lick Gelato in Newcastle, county Down, and son Seth celebrate their award