We are a nation of ice cream eaters. Depending on the source, we are either number 1, 2, or 3 in the highest consumption of ice cream per capita. I'm not that surprised really.
So, given that we are all ice cream lovers, I'm sure that you'd be very interested in finding out who won the awards in this year's Ice Cream Awards. I am surprised that Tip Top still does well in some categories, I would have thought our boutique ice cream makers would beat them in a blind taste test?
Without further ado, here are this year's winners - congratulations to you all!
Supreme award for boutique manufacturer
Takapuna Beach Café and Store, Coconut & Lime Curd Gelato
Supreme award for large manufacturer
Deep South Ice Cream, Deep South Ice Cream Vanilla
Standard vanilla ice cream
Best in Category
Fonterra Brands (Tip Top) Ltd, Tip Top Vanilla Ice Cream
Gold
Fonterra Brands (Tip Top) Ltd, Tip Top French Vanilla Ice Cream
Fonterra Brands (Tip Top) Ltd, Tip Top Vanilla Ice Cream
Standard chocolate ice cream
Silver
Fonterra Brands (Tip Top) Ltd, Tip Top Chocolate Ice Cream
There were no gold or best in category winners.
Standard ice cream with inclusions
Best in Category
Fonterra Brands (Tip Top) Ltd, Tip Top Boysenberry Ripple Ice Cream
Gold
Fonterra Brands (Tip Top) Ltd, Tip Top Strawberries & Cream Ice Cream
Fonterra Brands (Tip Top) Ltd, Tip Top Boysenberry Ripple Ice Cream
Premium vanilla ice cream
Joint best in category and gold
Deep South Ice Cream, Deep South Ice Cream Vanilla
Zest Ice Cream, Heilala Vanilla Ice Cream
Premium ice cream
Best in Category
Patagonia Chocolates Ltd, Banana Split
Gold
Pure New Zealand Ice Cream, Premium Hokey Pokey Ice Cream
Pure New Zealand Ice Cream, Premium Chocolate Ice Cream
Rush Munro's, Blackcurrant
Rush Munro's, Manuka Honey
Rush Munro's, Passionfruit
Rush Munro's, Mochaccino
Patagonia Chocolates Ltd, Banana Split
Patagonia Chocolates Ltd, Mascarpone Cheese & Forest Fruits
Kiwi Ice Cream Company Ltd, Awesome Cookies & Cream
Kiwi Ice Cream Company Ltd, Awesome Chocolate Cookies & Fudge
Kiwi Ice Cream Company Ltd, Awesome Limonata Cheesecake
Open creative - ice cream
Gold
Pure New Zealand Ice Cream, Kaffir Lime and Ginger Ice Cream (Premium)
Fonterra Brands (Tip Top) Ltd, Chocolate Malt Ice Cream
Open creative - gelato and sorbet
Gold
Pacific Flavours & Ingredients Ltd, Italian Mandarin Stracciatella Gelato
Open Creative Best Overall from both Ice Cream and Gelato/Sorbet Sections
Joint Best:
Pure New Zealand Ice Cream, Kaffir Lime and Ginger Ice Cream (Premium)
Pacific Flavours & Ingredients Ltd, Italian Mandarin Stracciatella Gelato
Kids' choice
Best
Takapuna Beach Café and Store, Double Chocolate & Honeycomb Gelato
Export ice cream
Silver
Emerald Foods, Heavenly Treats Passionfruit Vanilla
New Zealand Natural, New Zealand Natural Green Tea
Gelato
Best in category
Takapuna Beach Café and Store, Coconut & Lime Curd Gelato
Gold
Gellicious Gelato Ltd, Caffe Latté
Gelissimo, Violet Crunchie
Gelissimo, Ginger Crunch
Takapuna Beach Café and Store, Coconut & Lime Curd Gelato
Takapuna Beach Café and Store, Amarena Cherry & Yoghurt Gelato
Ginelli's, Limoncello Gelato
Ginelli's, Roche
Sorbet
Best in category
Takapuna Beach Café and Store, Mango Sorbet
Gold
Monte Gelato, Lemon
Gellicious Gelato Ltd, Passionfruit
Gellicious Gelato Ltd, Mango
Gellicious Gelato Ltd, Raspberry
Patagonia Chocolates Ltd, Lemon Sorbet
Wendy's Supa Sundaes, Lemon Lime Sorbet
Carrello del Gelato, Mango Sorbet
Takapuna Beach Café and Store, Mango Sorbet
Low fat
Best in category
Monte Gelato, Yoghurt Berry
Gold
Monte Gelato, Yoghurt Berry
Fonterra Brands (Tip Top) Ltd, Tip Top Creamy Yoghurt Ice Cream Strawberry
New packaging
Best
Emerald Foods, Killinchy Gold 125ml Range
Awards list taken from The New Zealand Ice Cream Makers' Association website.