Ballater ice cream shop Shorty’s is celebrating after taking home a bronze award in a prestigious UK-wide contest.
Its white chocolate flavour beat most of the opposition to win the coveted medal in the National Ice Cream Competition.
For owner Cheryl Barr it was a proud moment and one she likened to winning an Oscar.
She said: “I think I screamed when I found out. My partner was fast asleep so I woke him and phoned all my family.
“It was just super, super exciting. I was buzzing. An unbelievable feeling.
“It’s basically my industry’s version of winning an Oscar.
“I only opened the shop in 2017 so I haven’t been in the industry for very long.
“I don’t come from an ice cream background so to win is amazing.”
A growing business
Ms Barr, 33, bought the shop in 2017 and has faced challenges including navigating the Covid-19 pandemic.
But the business has continued to grow and in the past six months she has hired 10 employees, two full-time and eight seasonal, with another 10 on the cards this year.
Ms Barr, who previously worked in marketing, said: “Covid was absolute torture. We managed to do deliveries, but ice cream can only go so far so we had to diversify.
“People couldn’t get flour and sugar, so I was buying massive bags from my supplier and then selling these, along with condensed milk.
“It was a case of keeping money coming in and my staff in a job.”
Shorty’s, on Bridge Street, also placed seventh for its Ballater creme vanilla and 10th for its alternative vegan flavour, Pina Colada.
Rising costs
Like many other businesses, the spiralling cost of supplies has had an impact on Shorty’s.
Ms Barr said: “It’s been awful. Our ingredients have gone through the roof. Prices have gone up nine times since last February.
“I used to be able to make a 60-litre (13.2-gallon) batch of ice cream for £35 but it costs £60 now. It’s nearly doubled in price.
“We do baking as well. I used to be able to get a block of butter for £1.30 but it’s gone up to £2.20.
“But I can’t then push that back on to my customers. They won’t pay that so I have to absorb some of that cost.
“It’s really hard, especially with the cost of living kicking in.
“I had 100 Valentine’s orders two years ago, last year I had 50 and this year I had seven.”
North-east recognition
There were also award successes for other north-east ice cream shops, with Rizza’s of Huntly winning a bronze medal for its vanilla bean flavour.
Rizza’s director Donald Morrison said: “It was super to see us awarded a bronze medal.
“It’s an honour as a fourth generation, family-run business.
“Rizza’s is still getting high recognition for recipes developed by my great-grandfather more than 100 years ago.”
Portsoy Ice Cream received diplomas of merit for both its mango and raspberry and lemon snowball flavours.
Conversation