history
Company History
Purbeck Ice Cream was born as a result of diversification from dairy farming 18 years ago. My husband Peter, myself ~ Hazel and variable ‘help’ from our three boys of 1,2 and 3 years’ ran a 60 Friesian herd on 126 acres of lush green hillside directly opposite the historic remains of Corfe Castle in the heart of Dorset. The Isle of Purbeck is renown for its outstanding beauty with the result that during the summer months the population almost doubles with people basking in the countryside, idling away the hours on the beaches or pushing themselves to the limit on bikes up and down the hills surrounding us!
With the introduction of milk quota’s we found it increasingly difficult to maintain the farm as a viable enterprise and consequently had to come up with something pretty fast that we could do with our lovely milk that didn’t result in penalties for over production or tread on anyone’s toes by embarking on a venture which was already being undertaken.
Along with the occasional pub crawl we had developed quite a passion for ‘ice cream crawls’ and it seemed a natural progression to make our own ice cream….but sooooo much better than anything we had ever come across on our ‘crawls’ We were adamant from the start that our ice cream should be utterly natural with no artificial additives and most certainly not coloured ~ who needs a ‘fairy liquid green’ in their mint ice cream….that was not for us. After we hit upon ice cream we beavered away finding out everything we could so we knew exactly what we were getting into….we were in for a few shocks along the way!
Here & Now ~ Our Commitment
19 years later we have turned the business from a necessity to diversify from Dairy Farming into an expanding and developing business. We completed, embraced and enjoyed the journey to become a recognized Investor in People in 2005 and have been re assessed in 2006 as we believe the team is the most important ingredient in our ice creams. Our hygiene and safety standards are reflected and confirmed in the attainment for consecutive years’ of Higher EFSIS accreditation. We work as a close-knit team divided into Manufacture, Production & Development, Sales Force, Distribution, Design and Administration. Concentrating on our own fields is of utmost importance with team involvement in future plans an essential ingredient to our success.
Little Steps
One step made first came about at the end of 2001 when we were approached by Springbourne Fire Station in Bournemouth who asked us if we could make a ‘chilli’ ice cream for a Mexican Evening to be held at the Station. We always enjoy a challenge and set to work blending various concoctions to come up with a product to satisfy the hottest of Firemen! After trials we had a product not too mild and not so strong it would take your head off but leaving you with a wicked giggle! The Mexican evening was a roaring success with the ‘chilli theme’ running throughout the party with foods, beers and our ice cream proving a real hit.
Chilli Red is a simply delicious product of Purbeck Ice Cream with minced red chillis. It remains cool on the tongue and kicks off on the throat leaving you laughing out loud at the stunning effect! At first you taste the pure milk and cream of the ice cream on your tongue where the majority of your taste buds are. After a short delay you think…..’Mmmmmm scrumptious, mighty fine ice cream with hints of chilli but where’s the kick?’ then you swallow and…’whamm, wow, gadzooks..hot, hot, hot….giggle, giggle!’ Because there are few taste buds in your throat the kick dissipates quickly and you are left with thoughts of how unusual a product Chilli Red is, cold and hot, sweet and savory, a whole new dimension of ice cream.
Chefs Secret Weapon ~ Spice Rack
Following on from the hugely successful and versatile Chilli Red, the NPD team were let loose to develop more outstanding and courageous flavours for chefs to use in their culinary delights chiefly as accompaniments to standard courses to add that little twist of flavour and excitement. New blends of ice cream were born with Cracked Black Pepper adorning steaks or strawberries, Lemon Grass lavishly loved by chefs with vision, Cassia Spice deliciously dotted on apples, pears or avocados, Stem Ginger harmonizing with Thai foods and Mixed Spice served with Duck or dim sum.
Sales
We supply throughout Dorset to our local customers and regionally to supermarkets of Tesco, Asda and Co op in the Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire and overlapping counties as well as The National Trust, very many prestigious Hotels & Restaurants including all the Hall & Woodhouse eateries, Wine Bars, many independent discerning food shops and deli’s and seasonal tourist attractions. A dedicated van goes into the heart of London to the Royal Botanical Gardens @ Kew, MCC Lords, BSkyB, and a growing number of the top 50 Hotels.
We have Wholesalers distributing Nationally, specializing in foods of outstanding excellence. This has increased our distribution in both retail and catering establishments across the country.
USP's
Our products are superb, (I am a touch biased but it’s still true!) entirely natural with no added colour. A lot of ice cream is made with additional natural colour but we believe it to be unnecessary and therefore don’t use it!
We offer solutions to the problems encountered by chefs and retailers in supplying unique, refreshingly different, high quality products guaranteed to satisfy the most demanding consumer of today.
Awards & PR
Purbeck Ice Cream have been gathering awards during the past 19 years in recognition of outstanding products judged on taste, quality, appearance, texture and innovation.
During the first six months of 2007 we’ve scooped Gold for the sublime Chocolate Orange in the UK Great Taste Awards ~ the ‘Oscar’s’ in the world of fine food and drink joins previous years’ winners of Mango Sorbet, Vanilla Bean, Crème Fraiche and Serious Chocolate.
In the 2007 Taste of the West Food & Drink Awards, a Bronze was awarded for Cappuccino joining previous winners of Chocolate Orange, Strawberry, Mint Choc Chip, Gin & Orange and Honeycombe Hash.
ChilliRED has won many interesting awards for innovation in product taste, quality, versatility and sheer audacity!
It won the Winning Trophy Food & Drink Expo’s Idea’s to Dine For! Competition judged by Rick Stein and swept the winning trophy in the Milk Development Councils’ Award for Innovation in 2004.
We were highlighted as a major innovator with ChilliRED in the ingredient use sector of the Award for Ingredient use and Manufacture (AIM). We attended the Gala Reception and dinner at the National Motorcycle Museum to collect our trophy and celebrate in style!
Ethical, Environmental & Community Commitment
Dedicated to the environment, the Purbeck Ice Cream team takes every care to maintain the beautiful countryside around us by re planting trees, maintaining hedgerows and providing animal friendly areas encouraging our suppliers to match our eco friendly ethos. A traditional Dorset Apple Orchard has been recently planted and bird and bat boxes strategically placed to provide essential homes for first time flyers. We recycle 95% of all our waste and are working hard on the other 5%.
Purbeck Ice Cream ~ On The Road
We have two beautiful purpose built Purbeck Ice Cream Carts liveried in black and gold drawn by a horsebox and operated independently by No. 2 son Joe! The Cart attends many local and some National events and functions as well as making special guest star appearances at sophisticated weddings and upper crust parties to serve delicious Purbeck Ice Cream and Sorbets.
Website www.purbeckicecream.co.uk
The website is updated monthly with news and views on all things ice creamy including any new products on the horizon, awards and news under the title of ‘News Scoop’. We have put together a ‘Planet Purbeck’ page to keep you up to date with our ongoing commitment to the Community and environment, some superb recipes to keep the budding foodies challenged as well as some rather daft things under the heading of Purbeck ~ At work & Play!
The Team
The Purbeck Ice Cream team, over half of us originally being Farmers, has developed along with our products with a passion for pure excellence ~ our motto. We are dedicated Investors in People recognizing the importance of each team player and the qualities they bring to the table. We improve our strengths with team meetings to knock about ideas and hammer out any frustrations and regularly celebrate life in the fast ice cream lane on team ‘bunfights’. Our team is to be congratulated as, without the spirit of enterprise generated between us we would not be able to produce such amazing ice cream. These meetings, I feel would be of further benefit held at a different location ~ the Bahamas perhaps. Fin Hazel Hartle 21/08/07