{"id":71856,"date":"2023-09-01T13:50:16","date_gmt":"2023-09-01T01:50:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.farmersweekly.co.nz\/?p=71856"},"modified":"2023-09-01T14:29:45","modified_gmt":"2023-09-01T02:29:45","slug":"hazelnut-cremino-cant-be-licked-in-ice-cream-stakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.farmersweekly.co.nz\/people\/hazelnut-cremino-cant-be-licked-in-ice-cream-stakes\/","title":{"rendered":"Hazelnut Cremino can\u2019t be licked in ice cream stakes"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n

A boutique ice cream maker from Queenstown who moved to New Zealand to work as a hang-gliding pilot has taken out the country\u2019s top ice cream accolade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patagonia Chocolates\u2019 Hazelnut Cremino was named Formula Foods Supreme Champion Boutique at the NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hazelnut Cremino received two trophies \u2013 the Boutique Champion and the PACT Packaging Champion Standard Ice Cream Award. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chief judge Jackie Matthews noted that the base of NZ-grown nuts, which are hand roasted, \u201cprovided a delicate and truly authentic flavour which, combined, with a superbly crafted and well-made ice cream, is simply stunning, deserving of the Supreme Award\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patagonia Chocolates founder Alex Gimenez moved to Queenstown in 2002 and in 2005 the chocolate-loving Argentinean and his wife Lorena Giallonardo started their business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the challenges of covid-19 closures and ongoing staffing issues, the couple run four stores in the Southern Lakes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year their entries were recognised with five Gold Medals and three Silver Medals as well as two trophies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their accolades were among 16 trophies revealed at the NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards 2023 in Auckland on August 31. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A newcomer to the trophy winners\u2019 podium was Americold Supreme Champion Commercial, Allied Faxi New Zealand Food Co with its G\u2019nature Vanilla Ice Cream. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was also awarded the IMCD & Givaudan Champion Premium Vanilla Ice Cream Award. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a favourite with the judging panel, who said: \u201cThis classy ice cream has an uncompromising depth of flavour, is rich and creamy and succeeds perfectly in its mission to deliver a super smooth vanilla flavour.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthews said it was a great example of a classic flavour and \u201cperfectly produced, with wonderful texture and balanced flavour\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allied Faxi is a Chinese-owned maker that reopened the Kerepehi cheese factory in Paeroa in 2016 to make the G\u2019nature brand, which is sold in Beijing and Shanghai as well as NZ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A full list of NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards Trophy and Medal winners can be found on the NZ Ice Cream Association\u2019s website: www.nzicecreamandgelato.co.nz<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Former hang-gliding pilot flying high after scooping national prize.\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":71857,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_FSMCFIC_featured_image_caption":"Patagonia Chocolates\u2019 Hazelnut Cremino was named Formula Foods Supreme Champion Boutique at the NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards 2023.","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_nocaption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_hide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[16,50],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t