Welsh firm Minolis of Machen triumphs once more at the ‘Ice cream Oscars’
pic: Minolis of Machen
Welsh-founded family business Minolis of Machen is in celebratory mood after being crowned champions at the National Ice Cream Competition, reports Neill Barston.
Regarded as the ‘Oscars’ for the industry, the company claimed the coveted prize for the 4th time, using its carefully honed recipes and extended series of flavours.
Judges at the event organised by the Ice Cream Alliance, once again honoured the company’s products, served in the adjacent Basil & Rusty’s ice cream parlour and café based on its site, Gellwasted Farm, Machen, near Caerphilly.
The parlour sells the original seven classic flavours Minolis created (Dairy Vanilla,Wild Strawberry, Chocolate, Mint Chocolate Chip, Dairy Toffee, Rum and Raisin, Dairy Coffee) but keep these up to date by creating special sundaes with high quality sauces and toppings to give different flavour combinations. They also serve superb waffles. Their new Lemon Crunch ice cream won a Diploma of Merit at the same competition.
Furthermore, the business sells cakes from a local cake maker who uses whole, natural ingredients, and offer gourmet organic coffee from a small roaster just down the road. The milk and cream used in the ice cream also comes from a small, local family business. They aim to keep supply chains as local as possible and support small producers. Basil and Rusty’s will also start serving pizzas this summer.
Notably, the ice cream made under the Minolis of Machen brand is only available at the Basil and Rustys parlour and café and at the annual Royal Welsh Show on the Minolis of Machen stand under the grandstand.
“We are absolutely delighted to win this award,” said Geraint Richards, Chief Ice Cream Creator for Minolis, and co-owner with his wife Emma of the adjacent Basil & Rusty’s parlour who made the award-winning ice cream. “Our success is all down to my late Dad, Lewis, who created this recipe that we still use today and my Mum, Sue, who with a little help from us has carried on this award-winning ice cream making business after my Dad passed away in 2017.”
Geraint adds: “Our retail arm – Basil and Rustys is a family run ice cream parlour set in beautiful countryside, serving delicious ice cream desserts and gourmet coffee in a very relaxed friendly atmosphere. My mum is an integral part of our business as well. A fair description of the business dynamic is that Emma and Sue are the engine and ensure the essential work is done. I make the ice cream and talk a lot. And our kids Tess (9), Ted and Belle (both 7) are the chief tasters.”
