Mancini wins top UK ice cream title

Nov 13 2009 Ayrshire Post (main ed)

WHEN it comes to making ice cream Philip Mancini takes some licking.

For he has been crowned the ice cream king of Britain.

The Ayr businessman swept the board in a national competition.

And he’s thrilled to bring the top title home to the town here his grandfather served up his first cone 96 years ago.

Philip, who is based at the Royal Cafe in Ayr, scooped five titles at the contest run by the Ice Cream Alliance, including two champion of champions trophies.

And he insists that the secret of his success is passion for fabulous flavours.

He said: “To make great ice cream you need passion and dedication to ensure your product is so much better than anyone else’s.

“To me ice cream should have a silky soft feel that melts in the mouth with flavours that light up your taste buds.

“We are always looking to try different ingredients and ideas to excite our customers.

“For example, we have just launched a new flavour called Blushing Bride which is made from smooth white chocolate ice cream and raspberry ripple puree.”

The Mancini ice cream business was started by Philip’s grandfather Antonio in 1913 and Philip is the third generation to run the business.

And he hopes that his son Mark, who helped make the award winning chocolate ice cream, will follow in his footsFteps.

Philip has worked in the business since he was a boy and when his father, Michael, retired in 1991 he took over the business with his sister Anna.

He added: “We are very lucky to work in such a wonderful business. People love ice cream and no matter what the Scottish weather is doing people still want ice creams.

“We have customers who come from far and wide to sample our ice creams and why not – ice cream is the food of the gods!”

Philip’s haul included trophies for best artisan ice cream, best chocolate ice cream, best mango sorbet and a double champion of champions win.