The UK’s Best Ice Cream has been Crowned at the 2026 Golden Scoop Awards

The UK and Ireland’s finest ice cream makers were celebrated at the 2026 Golden Scoop Awards. Hosted by the Ice Cream Alliance, the UK and Ireland’s only trade body focused on ice cream, the awards crowned the nation’s best scoops.

The annual awards ceremony brought together the industry’s leading producers, innovators and artisans for an evening dedicated to the craft of ice cream and gelato.

The evening opened with a welcome speech from Ice Cream Alliance National President David Otterburn, who noted a significant rise in participation this year.

“This year, we have doubled the amount of entries and companies entering, along with welcoming an independent expert judging panel.”

According to Catherine McNeil, Director of Operations at the Ice Cream Alliance, the awards play an important role in helping consumers discover the country’s best producers.

“The Golden Scoop Awards are designed to be a trusted guide for consumers seeking the very best ice cream the UK has to offer,” she said. “At the same time, it provides a platform that inspires businesses to push boundaries and continue innovating.”

Participants could enter multiple categories for a chance to win the coveted Golden Scoop National Champion title. In addition, entrants achieving at least 85% of the top score receive a 1–5 star rating, a mark of excellence that helps customers identify outstanding products.

The awards are supported by major sponsors including Cadbury, British Sugar, Flora Food Group, Lakeland Dairies, and Tetra Pak, helping ensure wide industry recognition for the winners.

All entries were blind-judged by a panel of expert tasters who evaluated each product on appearance, texture, body, flavour and overall palatability. This year’s judges included Simon Tasker (Technical Expert), Fabiano Franzoso (Independent Gelato Chef and winner of the UK Gelato Festival World Masters 2021), Jonny Ireland (Technical Expert), Josef Boni (Ice Cream Expert).

The ceremony, sponsored by NIC UK, was hosted by James Sinclair, entrepreneur and owner of Rossi Ice Cream, and judge and respected ice cream expert Josef Boni.

THE WINNERS

Marvin Benton Outstanding Contribution Award: Josef Boni

Guido Morelli Rising Star: Rene Waltham

Parlour of the Year 2025: The Scoop Company

Mobiler of the Year 2025: Warren Dickens of Warren’s Ice Cream Ltd

UK’s Best Pistachio: Caliendo’s

UK’s Best Vanilla: Arran Dairies Limited

UK’s Best Chocolate: Fortes Ice Cream Ltd

UK’s Best Strawberry: Lick Gelato

UK’s Best Innovative: Lower Mill of Tynet Farm

UK’s Best Soft Serve: Ciccarelli Artisan Gelato

UK’s Best Sorbet: Oscar’s Gelato

UK’s Best Newcomer: Baci Di Gelato

UK’s Best Open Flavour: Oscar’s Gelato

Golden Scoop National Champion: Oscar’s Gelato

With more than 80 years of history, the Golden Scoop Awards remain one of the most respected events in the ice cream calendar. Known for its rigorous judging process, the competition celebrates the highest standards of quality, craftsmanship and innovation across the industry.

Find out more about The Ice Cream Alliance

here: https://ice-cream.org/