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National ice cream champion crowned in Harrogate

David Otterburn has been crowned the National Ice Cream Champion at the industry's prestigious awards ceremony in Harrogate.

National ice cream champion crowned in Harrogate The National Ice Cream Champion has been crowned at the ice cream industry’s prestigious annual awards ceremony. The Ice Cream and Artisan Food Show celebrated its 80th anniversary with its biggest-ever event at Harrogate’s Yorkshire Event Centre. And former dairy farmer David Otterburn was on hand to collect the accolade of 'National Ice Cream Champion' on behalf of North Yorkshire family business Ryeburn of Helmsley. It was awarded for the company’s Hazelnut Dream ice cream creation. The Ice Cream and Artisan Food Show, organised by the Ice Cream Alliance, was celebrating its 80th anniversary in what was its biggest-ever event. And 58-year-old David, who has been in the business for over 35 years, said the recognition is especially pleasing given the level of competition at the event. He said:

"This means the world to me and a wonderful reward for a lot of hard work. It was a surprise to win because we're up against such stiff opposition from across the UK. The Michael Minchella* award is such a touching moment for me as he's my hero and he taught me so much. "I moved from dairy farming to ice cream after becoming bogged down with EU red tape and quotas and we haven't looked back. “It’s a very competitive world but the first to congratulate you are always your rivals. It’s a big family in many ways."
The Ice Cream Alliance president Katy Alston, owner and founder of Pinks Vintage Ice Cream in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, was delighted with this year's event. She said:
"This year’s expo was a big one for us as it’s our 80th anniversary and we couldn't be more delighted. We've had so many more visitors this year at the conference centre. "It shows the ice cream industry is thriving in the UK and is very much the best in the world. It’s our biggest award ceremony ever and shows that ice cream is very much at the heart of Britain's heritage. "For me the biggest reward is seeing so many happy children tucking into their favourite treat and we're committed to seeing it continue.”
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