With spring on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to start planning your next frozen treat…

New Zealanders are an ice cream-loving bunch, so it’s fair to say we take the annual NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards seriously. This year’s awards were no exception, with a panel of judges tasting more than 270 ice creams, gelatos, sorbets and dairy-free frozen products from makers from across Aotearoa.

On the lineup were elevated classic flavour combinations like our beloved hokey-pokey and cookies-and-cream, to the truly innovative — dill and mustard ice cream, anyone? Boutique makers Patagonia Chocolates from Queenstown, Appleby Farms in Nelson and Little Lato in Auckland all scooped medals, as well as well-known homegrown brands like Lewis Road, TipTop and New Zealand Creameries.

After careful deliberation, a remarkable 183 medals were awarded; among these, an impressive 64 gold, 74 silver, and 45 bronze bestowed upon the Kiwi-made ice cream and gelato creations.

Head judge Jackie Matthews made special mention of the high standard of entries in 2023, noting flavour trends were an evolution on those observed last year.

“Gelato producers are showing real capability with some superb entries – they really have ‘nailed it’ with the technical aspects of gelato-making; body, texture, mouthfeel and flavour with the result being a fabulous eating experience!” she said.

“The ice cream, gelato and sorbet from the boutique makers were especially fabulous with sensory indulgent, rich, complex flavours. While dairy-free products are following global trends with entries made with an oat base growing rapidly.”

She also made a special call out to the exciting entries in the ‘Open Creative Category’.

“It was fabulous to be pushing the boundaries of flavour and having fun with it. There was a nod to reducing food waste with kumara and avocado otherwise destined for landfill; as well as flavour-filled and well-made entries playing with and combining flavours such as chilli, chocolate, custard and cinnamon.”

Winners of the NZ Life & Leisure Low Fat & Frozen Yoghurt Award included Tip Top for its Tip Top Frozen Yogurt (Gold), Appleby Farms for its Strawberry Swirl Frozen Yoghurt (Bronze) and Much Moore Ice Cream Co for its Awesome Foursome Yoghurt Ice Cream (Bronze).

The top gold medal winners are eligible to win Category Champion awards, with 2023 Trophy Winners being announced at the NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards Gala Cocktail Party in Auckland on Thursday 31 August.

The full list of NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards winners can be found below, or head to: www.nzicecreamandgelato.co.nz

NZ ICE CREAM AND GELATO AWARDS 2023 MEDAL WINNERS

IMCD & Givaudan Premium Vanilla Ice Cream Award

Gold Medal
Allied Faxi New Zealand Food Co, G’nature Vanilla Ice Cream
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Much Moore Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
New Zealand Creameries, Motueka Creamery Mt Arthur Snowfall Vanilla

Silver Medals
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Awesome Vanilla Ice Cream
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Much Moore Awesome Vanilla Ice Cream

Bronze Medal
New Zealand Creameries, Deep South Vanilla
Tip Top Ice Cream Company, Kāpiti Vanilla Bean

Chelsea Sugar Premium Ice Cream Award

Gold Medals
Appleby Farms, Strawberries & Cream Ice Cream
Lewis Road Creamery, Mint & Dark Chocolate
Lewis Road Creamery, Burnt Butter & Caramel Swirl
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Much Moore Lemon Cheesecake Ice Cream
Patagonia Chocolates, Mascarpone Cheese & Berries
New Zealand Creameries, Motueka Creamery Bark Bay Belgian Chocolate
Tip Top Ice Cream Company, Kāpiti Affogato
Tip Top Ice Cream Company, Kāpiti Fig & Manuka Honey

Silver Medals
Allied Faxi New Zealand Food Co, G’nature Twin Berries Premium Ice Cream
Appleby Farms, Cookies & Caramel Ice Cream
Ginelli’s, Ginelli’s Baileys
Ginelli’s, Ginelli’s Feng Shui
Ginelli’s, Ginelli’s Turmeric Mango Sunrise
Ginelli’s, Ginelli’s Ube
Lewis Road Creamery, Chocolate Truffle & Ganache
New Zealand Creameries, Motueka Creamery Moutere Fields Strawberry & Cream Meringue
New Zealand Creameries, Deep South Smores
New Zealand Creameries, Deep South Chocolate Brownie
New Zealand Creameries, Deep South Caramel Frappe
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Much Moore Mochaccino Fudge Ice Cream
Patagonia Chocolates, Banana Split
PURE New Zealand Ice Cream, Mānuka Honey & Fig Ice Cream
PURE New Zealand Ice Cream, Salted Caramel Ice Cream

Bronze Medals
PURE New Zealand Ice Cream, Hokey Pokey Ice Cream
PURE New Zealand Ice Cream, Date & Orange Ice Cream
New Zealand Creameries, Motueka Creamery Breaker Bay Raspberry & White Chocolate
Tip Top Ice Cream Company, Kāpiti Cookies & Cream

NZ Ice Cream Association Standard Vanilla Ice Cream Award

Bronze Medals
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Much Moore Vanilla Ice Cream
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Wonders Vanilla Ice Cream
New Zealand Creameries, Deep South Vanilla
Tip Top Ice Cream Company, Tip Top Creamy Vanilla
Tip Top Ice Cream Company, Tip Top French Vanilla

PACT Packaging Standard Ice Cream Award

Gold Medals
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Awesome Boysenberry Stracciatella Ice Cream
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Awesome Salted Caramel Seduction Ice Cream
New Zealand Creameries, Deep South Hokey Pokey
Patagonia Chocolates, Hazelnut Cremino
Patagonia Chocolates, Dulce de Leche
Tip Top Ice Cream Company, Tip Top Hokey Pokey
Tip Top Ice Cream Company, Tip Top Crave Peanut Butter Cups

Silver Medals
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Awesome Hokey Pokey Ice Cream
Tip Top Ice Cream Company, Tip Top Boysenberry Ripple
Tip Top Ice Cream Company, Tip Top Rocky Road

Bronze Medals
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Awesome Cookies & Cream Ice Cream
New Zealand Creameries, Deep South Cookies & Cream
New Zealand Creameries, Deep South Licorice

RD 2 International Best of Citrus Award

Gold Medals
Cuisinang Capampangan, Gian’s Calamansi & Manuka Honey Sorbet
Gellicious Gelato, Lemon Sorbet
Kowhai Creamery, Zesty Lemon Curd Gelato
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Much Moore Lemon Cheesecake Ice Cream

Silver Medals
Ginelli’s, Ginelli’s Yuzu
Island Gelato Co, Basil & Lime
Kowhai Creamery, Lemon Tart Gelato
Mrs Ferg Gelateria, Pink Grapefruit Sorbet
Patagonia Chocolates, Orange & Basil Sorbet
PURE New Zealand Ice Cream, Lime Sorbet
PURE New Zealand Ice Cream, Kaffir Lime & Ginger Ice Cream

Bronze Medals
Island Gelato Co, Lemon Thyme Yoghurt
PURE New Zealand Ice Cream, Lemon Curd Ice Cream

DKSH & Belcolade Chocolate Award

Gold Medals
Island Gelato Co, Rich Chocolate
Mister Gelato, Dutch Chocolate
New Zealand Creameries, Export Chocolate
New Zealand Creameries, Motueka Creamery Bark Bay Belgian Chocolate

Silver Medals
Gellicious Gelato, Chocolate Gelato
Gelato Roma, Milk Chocolate Gelato
Island Gelato Co, Darkest Chocolate
Lewis Road Creamery, Chocolate Truffle & Ganache
Little ‘Lato, Double Chocolate Gelato
New Zealand Creameries, Deep South Chocolate Brownie

Bronze Medals
PURE New Zealand Ice Cream, Choc Orange Ice Cream
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Much Moore Cookies & Fudge Ice Cream Overload

Sensient Technologies Gelato Award

Gold Medals
Ginelli’s, Ginelli’s Yoghurt & Passionfruit
Ginelli’s, Ginelli’s Boss’s Wife
Island Gelato Co, Pics Peanut Butter Caramel
Island Gelato Co, Sour Cherry & Rich Chocolate
Island Gelato Co, Whisky Truffle
Little ‘Lato, Pistachio Gelato
Little ‘Lato, Mud & Manuka Gelato
Tip Top Ice Cream Company, Tip Top Mochaccino

Silver Medals
Float & Flow, Float & Flow Caralasses
Gellicious Gelato, Forest Fruit Yoghurt Gelato
Island Gelato Co, Cold Press Coffee Affogato
Island Gelato Co, Fudgy Brownie & Cream
Island Gelato Co, Mint Choc Crunch
Island Gelato Co, Salted Caramel & White Chocolate
Kowhai Creamery, Crunch Gelato
Little ‘Lato, Speculoos Gelato
Little ‘Lato, Cream & Cookies Gelato
PURE New Zealand Ice Cream Boysenberry Gelato

Bronze Medals
Cuisinang Capampangan, Gian’s Taho Gelato
Gellicious Gelato, After Eight Gelato
Gellicious Gelato, Sea Salt Caramel Gelato
Gellicious Gelato, Vanilla Bean Gelato
Ginelli’s, Ginelli’s Latte Macchaito
Island Gelato Co, Biscoff Tiramisu
Island Gelato Co, Vanilla Bean
Kowhai Creamery, Strawberry Fields Gelato

Formula Foods Sorbet Award

Gold Medals
Ginelli’s, Ginelli’s Honeydew Melon
Gellicious Gelato, Strawberry Sorbet
Gellicious Gelato, Passionfruit Sorbet
Island Gelato Co, Tamarillo
Island Gelato Co, Rhubarb
Island Gelato Co, Woodland Berries
Minoo Gelato, Minoo Feijoa Sorbet
Patagonia Chocolates, Lemon Sorbet
Patagonia Chocolates, Chocolate Sorbet
PURE New Zealand Ice Cream, Chocolate Sorbet

Silver Medals
Gellicious Gelato, Mango Sorbet
Gellicious Gelato, Blueberry Sorbet
Gellicious Gelato, Mixed Berry Sorbet
Gelato Roma, Gelato Roma Boysenberry Sorbet
Gelato Roma, Gelato Roma Raspberry Sorbet
Island Gelato Co, Pineapple Mojito
Minoo Gelato, Wildberry Sorbet
Mrs Ferg Galateria, Blackberry Sorbet
Mrs Ferg Galateria, Raspberry Sorbet
Patagonia Chocolates, Raspberry Sorbet
Penguino Ice Cream Café, Mango & Chilli Flakes Sorbet

Bronze Medals
Gellicious Gelato, Boysenberry Sorbet
Island Gelato Co, Mango Lime Passionfruit

Davis Food Ingredients Novelty Category Award

Gold Medals
Appleby Farms, The Original Chocolate Cookie Sandwich
Tip Top Ice Cream Company, Tip Top Pineapple Fruju
Tip Top Ice Cream Company, Memphis Gooey Caramel
Tip Top Ice Cream Company, Chocolate Trumpet
Tip Top Ice Cream Company, Kāpiti Chocolate Sundae
Tip Top Ice Cream Company, Kāpiti Cookies & Cream

Silver Medals
Appleby Farms, The Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie Sandwich
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Kids Dunks
Tip Top Ice Cream Company, Kāpiti Passionfruit & Kamahi Honey
Tip Top Ice Cream Company, Tip Top Boysenberry Trumpet

Hawkins Watts New to Market Award

Gold Medals
Appleby Farms, The Original Chocolate Chunk Cookie Sandwich
Mrs Ferg Gelateria, Gianduia & Dark Chocolate Pearls
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Much Moore Lemon Cheesecake Ice Cream
New Zealand Creameries, Motueka Creamery Bark Bay Belgian Chocolate

Silver Medals
Appleby Farms, The Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie Sandwich
Kowhai Creamery, Honey Caramel Gelato
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Much Moore Mochaccino Fudge Ice Cream
New Zealand Creameries, Deep South Caramel Frappe

Bronze Medals
Appleby Farms, Strawberry Swirl Frozen Yoghurt
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Awesome Gumdrops Ice Cream

Tetra Pak Export Ice Cream Award

Gold Medal
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Private Label Vanilla Ice Cream
New Zealand Creameries, Export Chocolate
New Zealand Creameries, Motueka Creamery Mt Arthur Snowfall Vanilla

Silver Medal
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Much Moore Cookies & Cream

Bronze Medal
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Private Label Cookies & Cream
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Private Label Chocolate Ice Cream
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Much Moore Chocolate Cookies & Fudge Ice Cream Overload
New Zealand Creameries, Export Vanilla

Infruit Dairy-Free Award

Gold Medals
Little ‘Lato, Mango Lassi Vegan Gelato
Little ‘Lato, Raspberry Lamington Vegan Gelato
Island Gelato Co, Feijoa & Coconut

Silver Medals
Float & Flow, Coconut Chocolate
Island Gelato Co, Black Forest
Island Gelato Co, Coconut Latte
Island Gelato Co, Strawberry Cashew Cheesecake
Little ‘Lato, Coconut Lemon & Almond Vegan Gelato
PURE New Zealand Ice Cream, Mango & Coconut Gelato

Bronze Medals
Island Gelato Co, Salted Passionfruit & Coconut
Island Gelato Co, Hazelnut Chocolate & Oat Milk
Little ‘Lato, Salted Caramel Choc Chunk Vegan Gelato
Little ‘Lato, Coconut Cookies Vegan Gelato
Mister Gelato, Alphonso
Mrs Ferg Gelateria, Vegan Chocolate Gelato
Penguino Ice Cream Café, Lavendar & Coconut

Invita NZ Open Creative Award

Gold Medals
Tip Top Ice Cream Company, Sesame Make Miso Happy
Tip Top Ice Cream Company, Baklava Bonanza

Silver Medals
Tip Top Ice Cream Company, Coco-nuts for Pandan
Lewis Road Creamery, Gingerbread Ice Cream
Sensient Technologies, Ube & Yuzu Cheesecake Ice Cream
Sensient Technologies, Dill & Mustard Ice Cream

Bronze Medals
Island Gelato Co, Chocolate Mole

NZ Life & Leisure Low Fat & Frozen Yoghurt Award

Gold Medal
Tip Top Ice Cream Company, Tip Top Frozen Yoghurt

Silver Medal (No Awards)

Bronze Medal
Appleby Farms, Strawberry Swirl Frozen Yoghurt
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Awesome Foursome Yoghurt Ice Cream