A tiny suburban Auckland shop has been awarded one of the top prizes of the New Zealand Ice Cream and Gelato Awards 2026 for its blueberry yoghurt gelato.
The judges had 320 entries to try this year, a surge compared to the 260 last year. Flavours entered for the awards ranged from cereal milk to garlic bread, to internationally inspired entries such as Subi and Brother's Dulce de Letche Kheer and Appleby Farms' Salted Lemongrass Ice Cream.
Seven months after opening the Joylato shop in Auckland's Takapuna, Esther Cai scooped the top spot as the Supreme Boutique Champion. She also took three more trophies, including Gelato Champion, New to Market, and New Entrant.
The competition's head Judge Geoff Scott said "technical mastery is the ultimate equaliser" between small suburban storefronts and powerhouse processors.
He said the blueberry yoghurt gelato delivered everything they were looking for in a supreme champion.
"Exceptional technical execution, beautiful balance and absolute clarity of flavour. The yoghurt base was wonderfully clean, fresh and vibrant, with just the right amount of natural tang, while the blueberry complemented rather than dominated the palate.
"A perfect marriage of flavours, finished with an outstanding creamy texture and mouthfeel."
The other top prize went to Open Country Motueka Creamery's Mt Arthur Snowfall Vanilla, who won the Hall's Cold Chain Logistics Supreme Champion.
"The flavour was rich, authentic and beautifully rounded, supported by an incredibly smooth, creamy texture and luxurious mouthfeel," Scott said.
"Every element was in harmony, delivering exactly what consumers hope for from a premium vanilla ice cream."
2026 winners
Supreme Champions
- Open Country Motueka Creamery Mt Arthur Snowfall Vanilla; Hall’s Cold Chain Logistics Supreme Champion
- Joylato, Blueberry Yoghurt Gelato; Chelsea Sugar Supreme Boutique Champion
Category Champions
- Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Premium Vanilla Ice Cream; Invita NZ Classic Vanilla Ice Cream Champion
- Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Awesome Salted Caramel Seduction Ice Cream; Bonson Packaging Classic Flavoured Ice Cream Champion
- Open Country Motueka Creamery Mt Arthur Snowfall Vanilla; International Flavours and Fragrances Premium Vanilla Ice Cream Champion
- New Zealand Natural, Boysenberry Dream; Americold Premium Flavoured Ice Cream Champion
- CrocShake, Spiced Plum and Pinot; RD2-International Best of Fusion Champion
- Kohu Road, Dark Chocolate Ice Cream; DKSH Performance Materials NZ Chocolate Ice Cream Champion
- Patagonia Chocolates, Dark Chocolate Sorbet; DKSH Performance Materials NZ Chocolate Gelato, Sorbet or Dairy Free Champion
- Joylato, Blueberry Yoghurt Gelato; Sensient Technologies Gelato Champion:
- Kohu Road Mango Sorbet; Infruit Sorbet Champion
- Appleby Farms Salted Lemongrass Ice Cream; Big Chill Export Ice Cream Champion
- Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Wonders Strawberry Low Fat Yoghurt Ice Cream; Davis Food Ingredients | Provida Freight Low-Fat Champion
- MooMii Gelato, Golden Mango; Tetra Pak NZ Dairy-Free Champion:
- Subi and Brother, Dulche de Letche Kheer; Formula Foods Open Creative Champion
- Joylato, Blueberry Yoghurt Gelato; Hawkins Watts New to Market Champion
- Joylato, Blueberry Yoghurt Gelato; NZICA New Entrant Champion
- Patagonia Chocolates; Pact Packaging Sustainability Champion
- Deep South, Mango Ripple Ice Cream; NZICA Kids’ Choice Champion.
SHARE ME