The Ice Cream & Artisan Food Show is a key date in the calendar for the Antonelli team and the ice cream industry as a whole. This year’s event was no exception! In fact, its new location at Birmingham NEC meant this year’s event was bigger than ever. So, here’s the scoop on our time at the show.
Across 2 days in early February, we manned our exhibition stand meeting customers, old and new, from across the UK and further afield. We showcased our range of cones and wafers along with a cabinet packed with more than 40 delicious and indulgent ice cream and gelato flavours.
We networked with suppliers, met other industry professionals, got involved in judging and Q&As and generally celebrated the incredible industry that we play a key role in.
Showcasing our signature cones
The cone wall on our stand attracted a lot of interest and visually showcased the wide range of cones and wafers we bake here in the UK. Always a talking point, from dipped and decorated to waffle and wafer, there was plenty to taste test and to discuss.
The cones proving most popular across the event were:
- Twist 24/7 - a gluten-free luxury rolled sugar cone
- Unicone - our Torino cone but dipped in white chocolate and rolled in sherbet for that extra indulgent treat
- Atina Cone - a slightly smaller waffle cone which helps our customers to prevent over portioning
Trending gelato flavours
Of course, our ice cream cabinet is always a star attraction, and this year was no different! It was interesting to see how current flavour trends really are influencing the popularity of different flavours and which flavours wowed the discerning attendees. Some of the most popular flavours across the two days were:
- Bueno (Martini Sueno) - This is always a crowd-pleaser and appeals to customers of all ages.
- Macaron with Blueberry and Blackberry (Comprital’s Blueberry and Blackberry Variagato) - Sophisticated and grown-up, who wouldn’t love this flavour?
- Dubai Chocolate (Martini Brunella Pistachio and Kanafe) - Made famous by TikTok, the Dubai Chocolate trend just keeps growing! Pistachio has always been a classic, but we think this new take on an old favourite could be a bestseller this summer.
- White Chocolate (Martini Brunella Bianca) - An indulgent classic that never goes out of style! White chocolate is another flavour that is loved by all ages.
- Lemon & Raspberry Crunch (Comprital’s Lampone Biscotto) - Fruity and zingy with crunch to add interest and texture, perfect for those long summer days.
- Zillionaire’s Cheesecake (Martini’s Tutto Fondente and Comprital’s Cream Cheese Pasta) -Cheesecake is proving popular in all variations and the Zillionaire’s Cheesecake is no exception.
Sharing our appreciation
The stand and overall success of the event was an incredible team effort by all involved. So, in addition to the hard work of our Antonelli team, we’d like to thank Hattie and Anika from Dolly’s for their practical support, as well as Carpigiani, Taylors and Machinery World for the use of their equipment during the show.
The following vital equipment helped make it all possible!
- Machinery World: Cubo 2, Compacter Vario 8, CK100 Blast Freezer
- Taylors: Frigomat GX2, C152 Soft Serve, ISA Supercapri display freezer
- Carpigiani: SAM80
Buzzing Birmingham
Birmingham NEC is a globally renowned venue and well connected to transport links across the UK. The event buzzed with excitement and was busy from opening until closing time across both days.
The new location made attendance easier for many of our South East customers and the proximity to the airport also meant it was convenient for Scottish customers to fly in. The consensus from the Antonelli team who attended the event, and from the customers we spoke to, was that the new venue and location contributed to a busier and even better show than previous years.
We’re already looking forward to the next one!
