WELSH CHAMPION ICE CREAM MAKER

WHEN it comes to making ice cream Derek Rowley takes some licking and to prove it he has been crowned Cadbury’s champion at the UK’s National Ice Cream Competition.

Derek, who was awarded the best-in-class Cadbury trophy at the competition run by The Ice Cream Alliance, was also named Champion of Champions for his chocolate ice cream.

From his ice cream parlour Glaslyn Ices in Beddgelert, Gwynedd, North Wales, Derek has been delighting customers with his ice cream since the early 70s and he succeeded in melting the judges’ hearts at this year’s competition.

 With more than 100 diplomas and several medals for his ice creams over the years, Derek is delighted to have won the prestigious Champion of Champions Silver Challenge Shield: “Chocolate is my favourite flavour and it doesn’t get any better than winning this trophy.”

Set deep in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park, Derek’s ice cream parlour which he runs with his wife Elaine and daughter Bonnie, is popular with walkers, climbers and tourists in search of the Beddgelert legend, one of the most celebrated of Welsh folktales.

“Glasylyn Ices is popular with tourists and locals and we are lucky to be in such a wonderful business. People love ice cream and whatever the Welsh weather is doing people still want a scoop or two of delicious ice cream or sorbet,” said Derek.

And with more than thirty flavours including Amaretto rippled with wild cherry, Rum and Chocolate Truffle and Pink Grapefruit Sorbet, Derek’s tantalising flavours have moved on from the soft ice cream he sold from a kiosk at the front of his father’s café nearly 40 years ago.

The ice cream parlour is now closed for the winter so ice cream fans will have to wait until Spring before they have a chance to taste Derek’s award-winning chocolate ice cream.

Zelica Carr Chief Executive Officer of The Ice Cream Alliance, which represents more than 750 ice cream makers and businesses in Great Britain and Ireland, said: “Derek has worked harder than ever to perfect his entries and he has shown his chocolate ice cream is exceptional.”

“He was up against extremely strong competition – to win both awards is outstanding.”

Derek Rowley can be contacted through the website at www.glaslynices.co.uk.

ENDS

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