ICE CREAM CHAMPIONS 2010

A Welsh couple are celebrating after being crowned the UK's ice cream champions.

Sue and Lewis Richards beat off competition from across Great Britain to win the coveted Champion of Champions trophy for their vanilla ice cream at this year's National Ice Cream Competition.

The couple who trade as Minoli's of Machen started their business 23 years ago and this is the third time they have won the supreme award - the first time that this feat has been achieved.

Their exclusive ice cream is only made available to the public  twice a year at the  Royal Welsh Show and the Royal Welsh Smallholders and Garden Festival.

But that is soon to change as their daughter Sian and her husband Richard Powell are to launch a new ice cream parlour at the family's Gelli Wastad Farm, Machen selling the award winning ice cream.

Sue said: "We couldn't be more delighted. It is a wonderful honour to be awarded champion of champions against such excellent competition.

"Lewis and I are now semi retired and we are so pleased that our daughter and her husband are setting up their own ice cream business using our diary ice cream. It means that our customers will be able to enjoy our ice cream all year round."

Sue and Lewis won three trophies at the competition in Harrogate, best artistic ice cream, best dairy ice cream and the champions trophy for vanilla ice cream.

Lewis added: "Making ice cream is a labour of love for us. We only use the best ingredients including organic milk and cream and it is very satisfying to win recognition for our efforts."

Zelica Carr, Chief Executive Officer of the Ice Cream Alliance who organised the competition, said: "This is a wonderful achievement by a family who have dedicated themselves to making ice cream of the highest quality."

Sue and Lewis Richards can be contacted on 01633 440551.

ENDS

Media Contact: Steve Verrill –VPR – 01430 871166 or 07803 589282