'Best ice cream' in the UK made in Hamilton

Hamilton-based ice cream makers Equi’s are set to take on top European competition after being crowned champions in the UK heat of the European Gelato Championship in London.

The family-owned company’s Scottish Raspberry Sorbet propelled them to victory at the Spitalfields Market event that pitted their gelato against tough opposition that included a top gelato maker from the Gordon Ramsey Group and the acclaimed Snowflake Gelato from London.

Equi’s Ice Cream will take on finalists from across Europe at the Gelato Festival European final which takes place at Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence in September.

David Equi, the owner of Equi’s Ice Cream and recipe maker, couldn’t hide his delight at the result. He said: “We’ve had such a great time competing in London and I’m so proud of our team. Our gelato chef, Kaelin Halcrow, worked tirelessly to make our delicious Scottish Raspberry sorbet and was supported by Jennifer MacKenzie who acted as server.

“We were getting amazing feedback for our flavour all weekend but we could believe when it was our name they announced as the winner. We’ve enjoyed working with some of the most talented and creative gelato makers in the UK and we can’t wait for the final in Florence!”

With half of the overall result made up from the outcome of the public vote and the rest from a technical jury made up of gelato experts and London food critics, it was the combination of the fresh Scottish raspberries shipped from Aberdeen with a dash of lemon that won them all over.