Chocolaterie scoops out an ice cream celebration

SUMMER is a little sweeter along the Great Ocean Road this month as the annual Ice Cream Festival makes its delicious return.

The 12-day festival, held at the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, is a celebration of all things ice cream – from classic scoops to inventive flavours dreamed up by chocolatiers and customers.

Now in its ninth year, the festival has become a much-loved tradition for locals and holidaymakers.

Marketing manager Lee Wilkinson said the idea began as a way to “put ice cream on the front page” of the factory.

The festival has been growing ever since, with flavour concepts being trialled throughout the year.

 

“It’s a tough gig having to taste them, but someone’s got to do it!” Wilkinson joked.

Starting on Wednesday this week, this year’s lineup features 10 limited edition festival flavours, which visitors can sample in hosted tasting sessions.

Visitors can also create their own chocolate sauce to take home or visit the brand-new Scoop Lab, where they can build personalised sundaes in a waffle cup.

There’s also a mystery flavour challenge. Those who correctly guess it will win a tub of ice cream every month for a year.

For Wilkinson, the highlight is always the flavours that “mess with your mind” with colours that don’t match the flavour, or unexpected flavour combinations.

One of her favourites this year is a mango, chilli and lime sorbet that starts out sweet and icy cold before ending with a touch of heat.

 

“You end up needing more just to cool down again,” she said. “It’s a brilliant marketing tool.”

The festival runs until February 25 across all three Chocolaterie venues – on the Great Ocean Road, in the Yarra Valley and at Mornington – with a fourth venue in Bendigo now under construction and expected to open next year.

“There’s always something new to try – it’s the perfect last hurrah for summer,” Wilkinson said.