Beddgelert Ice Cream Producer Receives ‘Best in UK’ Accolade for it’s Blackkcurrant Sorbet

Its official. Glaslyn Artisan Ice Cream & Pizza in Beddgelert, Caernarfon makes the best sorbet in the UK according to the National Ice Cream Championships 2021. The ice cream parlour and pizzeria won for its Blackcurrant Sorbet. This is the most prestigious ice cream competition in the country, run by the Ice Cream Alliance (ICA), the sector’s UK trade association and has been going for 76 years.

“To actually win gold for the best sorbet in the UK is so special,” exclaimed owner Bonnie Rowley. “It has been a really challenging couple of years, firstly getting to grips with taking over the family business in 2019, and then steering it through the pandemic since 2020. So, to win such a prestigious award makes all the hard work worthwhile. I am so proud of our team. Our Trainee Production Manager Derwyn Roberts (holding the trophy in the photo) made the winning Blackcurrant Sorbet, along with Ryan Richards.”

Bonnie is the third generation to run this ice cream parlour, cafe and pizzeria in the beautiful village of Beddgelert in Snowdonia. They specialise in dairy free sorbets containing real fruit and are naturally stronger in flavour and lower in fat. They are also a fantastic alternative to traditional dairy ice cream for those who cannot eat dairy or follow a vegan diet. The company takes sustainability seriously and its priority over the next few years is to become carbon neutral or even negative. The business employs 20 people.

The championships are normally held at the Ice Cream and Artisan Food Show in Harrogate and hundreds of products are submitted across thirteen categories. Because of the pandemic this show was cancelled.

“The ICA decided that despite lockdowns and severe restrictions on trading we needed to show our sectors resilience by continuing with these annual awards,” commented Zelica Carr, ICA CEO. “I want to thank all those who entered and our dedicated panel of judges who tasted the entries and selected winners in a socially distanced and Covid secure procedure at our head office.”

“Congratulations to Bonnie and her team,” added Zelica. “There was very stiff competition in this category so to win gold is a big achievement.”

Ice cream parlours and ice cream vans have been hard hit in this pandemic losing a total of £289million 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.

For more information on the ICA visit: www.ice-cream.org