Whitley Bay ice cream parlour scoops three top awards

Di Meo’s ice cream parlours were among the winners at the National Ice Cream Competition – winning two awards for its Pistacchio Crunch ice cream and an Artistic Award for a ‘Going Back to School’ themed ice cream cake.

Luciano Di Meo said: “I am ecstatic about the win.

“Ever since I was a small kid I would go to the ice cream competitions and dinner dances and look in awe at the amazing trophies steeped in history and the people who won them.

“I would dream of one day winning them and being the best. To win at the same time as my sister Rosa for her Artistic Award is fantastic.

“My father taught me if you do not work with passion and put your heart into it – then don't bother – find another job.

“Every day our family pours its heart into what we do and what we produce.

“A huge amount of hard work and passion goes into each ice cream we make.

“Yes the award is amazing, but there is no substitute for the praise we get from our customers when they take a lick of one of our ice creams and comment it's the best they have ever had!”

Di Meo’s has three outlets – in Marine Avenue and the beach kiosk in Whitley Bay while recently opened a new shop in Ouseburn on the outskirts of Newcastle. There are also plans to open a new shop in Tynemouth.

The National Ice Cream Competition is held every year by the Ice Cream Alliance (ICA).

Zelica Carr, ICA CEO, said: “Congratulations to Luciano, his sister Rosa and all the team at Di Meo’s.

“There was very stiff competition. This flavour category saw some outstanding entries and the judges were hard pressed to choose a winner.”