Sweet treats abound at ice cream festival

ICE cream lovers can now dig their spoon into 144 different flavours at the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery’s (GORCI) Ice Cream Festival.

The annual event began yesterday (Wednesday, February 10), with flavours inspired by cocktails and wine, cakes and pastries, ingredient combinations, the chocolaterie’s own kitchen garden and chocolate creations.

A new limited-edition flavour will be churned on each day of the 12-day festival by the chocolatiers.

The line-up includes Parmesan and Olive Oil, Siracha Pretzels, Watermelon and Feta and Black Sticky Rice Banana; adults-only indulgences such as Spiced Negroni and Yuzu Whisky Sour; French Opera Cake, Turkish Delight Pavlova and Charcoal Cherry Ripe for something decadent; and a Storm Trooper ice cream with chocolate Star Wars figurine for the young (and the young at heart).

Visitors to the Bellbrae chocolaterie can also win 144 mega scoops of ice cream by voting for their favourite festival flavour. Winners can redeem their prize throughout the entire year.

Beyond the cups and cones is a limited-edition ice cream dessert menu where a Triple Decker Brownie Ice Cream Club Sandwich, tasting plates of Petite Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches, traditional shakes and Showstopper Sundaes will be available to enjoy.

Serious ice cream enthusiasts can sign up to an Ice Cream Festival 45-minute tasting session for $20pp, featuring 12 different sorbets and ice creams. Participants will also make their own rocky road ice cream, mixing and matching from more than 50 ingredients.

“This year’s festival is dedicated to bringing extra scoop-a-licious fun to indulge ice cream lovers of all ages and persuasions,” GORCI owner Leanne Neeland said.

“Our team of chocolatiers and pastry chefs have had a lot of fun inventing an array of different creations inspired by our own kitchen garden and orchard, local suppliers and distillers, favourite cakes and adventurous flavour combinations.

“And what a great excuse to spend a creamy, dreamy summer’s day with us enjoying a cooling scoop or two among our picturesque grounds.”

The Ice Cream Festival runs until February 21. Entry to the chocolaterie is free.

For more information. head to gorci.com.au.