2026Forest Farm, The Organic Dairy
Named Parlour of the Year 2026. An organic dairy and farm parlour recognised for its production standards, its visitor facilities and a whole team operation from the milking parlour to the counter.
Brought to you by the Ice Cream Alliance and Nic UK
Parlour of the Year 2027.
The annual competition for ice cream parlours across the United Kingdom, judged out of one hundred points. Free to enter for ICA members. Applications close on 30 April 2027.
Current holder: Forest Farm, The Organic Dairy, named Parlour of the Year 2026. See the roll of honour
Competition sponsor
Parlour of the Year is brought to you by The Ice Cream Alliance and Nic UK.
Parlour of the Year is brought to you by The Ice Cream Alliance and Nic UK.
What it is
The award that fills your seats.
Parlour of the Year recognises the best ice cream parlours in the country. It is not only about the product. Judges look at the whole operation: how the premises are run, how compliance is handled, how the business serves its community and how it presents itself to customers.
Winners receive a scoops score rating to display as stickers in the window and online, finalist certificates for the team, and national and regional press coverage. The overall winner also receives one thousand pounds in store credit.
Every entry is scored out of one hundred points across four sections, so you know exactly where you stood and what to work on next year.
Start your entry
£1,000Store credit for the overall winner, plus press coverage
How it is judged
One hundred points, four sections.
Before you enter
Eligibility, cost and dates.
Cost to enter
Freefor ICA members
Non members pay £250 plus VAT to enter. Membership starts at £280 a year and includes this entry along with everything else.
Members enter at no cost
Who can enter
UK retail premises
Your business must be based in the United Kingdom, registered as a food business, and have indoor or outdoor seating for customers.
Mobile units and pop ups are not eligible
Who submits
Owner or representative
The entry must be submitted by the business owner or by someone authorised to act on their behalf.
One entry per premises
Applications close
30 April2027
Late entries cannot be accepted. Judging follows over the months after closing, with results announced to entrants.
Get your video ready early
What winners get
Recognition you can put in the window.
Display
Your scoops score rating
Every entrant receives a scoops rating based on their score, supplied as stickers for your window, counter and packaging.
For the team
Finalist certificates
Printed certificates for finalists, so the whole team gets the recognition rather than just the owner.
Winner
£1,000 store credit
The overall Parlour of the Year receives one thousand pounds in store credit towards their business.
Coverage
National and regional press
Winners are promoted through the alliance's press contacts, the magazine and social channels.
Roll of honour
Previous winners.
2026
2025The Scoop Company
Named Parlour of the Year 2025 for a spotless operation, strong allergen procedures and a genuine role at the centre of its local community.
2024Otter Valley Ice Cream and Field Kitchen
A farm based parlour and field kitchen recognised for its production standards and the quality of its customer facilities.
2023Caliendo's Gelato
A traditional gelateria whose written statement and portfolio video set the standard for the entries that followed.
Enter
Submit your entry.
Closing date30 April 2027
CostFree for members, £250 plus VAT for non members
What you will needYour food business registration details, a written statement of up to eight hundred words, and a portfolio video walkthrough
Questions01332 203 333info@ice-cream.org
SponsorBrought to you by The Ice Cream Alliance and Nic UK
Parlour of the Year entry
Start your entry here. The competitions team will confirm receipt and send you the upload link for your portfolio video.
Please tell us your name.
Please tell us your role.
Please give the name of the parlour.
Please give a valid email address.
Please give a contact number.
Please give the address of the premises.
Please choose your seating arrangement.
Please tell us your membership status.
Please tell us where the business is registered.
0 wordsPlease include your written statement.
Not a member yet? Join first and enter free
Members enter Parlour of the Year free.
That is £250 plus VAT saved before you count the advice, the handbook, the magazine and the Golden Scoop entry.