Summer in New York is synonymous with hot days, bustling streets, and a craving for cool, creamy treats. For catering companies, ice cream is more than just a dessert—it’s a seasonal essential. As temperatures rise, offering the perfect scoop becomes crucial to keeping clients happy and events memorable. As part of our food business tips, we’ll explore some useful advice about selecting the right ice cream flavours.
With the ice cream season fast approaching, now is the perfect time to sample new flavours and ice cream mixes. Today’s customers expect the highest quality – natural ingredients, simple compositions, and premium products. When selecting ice cream for your parlour, it’s essential to check whether the ice cream powder supplier offers products that meet customer expectations and align with current trends – premium quality with a transparent ingredient list. How can you best prepare for the upcoming season? By choosing the right ice cream mixes. And how do you do that? By testing them!
Natural Ingredients and Premium Quality – What Customers Want
Current trends clearly show that customers are increasingly opting for premium ice cream made from natural ingredients such as real fruit juices, fresh milk, and the highest-quality cocoa. When looking for an ice cream powder supplier, it’s worth selecting products with short, clear ingredient lists, free from unnecessary additives.
Our Experience
After speaking to several ice cream shop owners and caterers, I’ve learned that using natural ingredients has a significant impact on customer satisfaction. One caterer mentioned how they switched to a premium ice cream mix made with organic milk, and the feedback from clients was overwhelmingly positive. Another ice cream parlour owner shared that offering all-natural sorbets helped them tap into a health-conscious clientele, increasing their summer sales.
Which Ice Cream for Ice Cream Shops? – The Latest Trends
High-quality ice cream for the catering industry should be based on carefully selected raw materials. This ensures not only exceptional taste and the perfect consistency but also a positive reception and customer loyalty. Consumers are paying closer attention to product labels, favouring those made with natural ingredients. According to Food & Wine magazine, this trend is not just a passing phase for the upcoming season – it’s a lasting shift that is reshaping the ice cream market.
Our Experience
One ice cream vendor I spoke with shared how they revamped their entire menu to feature clean-label ice creams, resulting in a 20% increase in sales. Another catering business found that introducing lactose-free and vegan options not only met the demands of existing clients but also attracted new business. Keeping up with these trends has proven to be a game-changer for many in the industry.
Watch this video to learn of other new trends in the ice cream industry:
An Invitation to Test New Mixes
Even if you have trusted flavours and mixes that have worked for years, it’s worth exploring new options. Many ice cream powder suppliers offer starter kits, allowing you to test their mixes in your own shop with your own machines. According to Wired magazine, this is an excellent opportunity to compare flavours, consistency, and ingredient quality and choose the best options for your parlour. Testing different products helps ensure you serve the best ice cream for your customers.
Our Experience
From my conversations with various ice cream parlours, it’s clear that testing new flavours before the peak season is invaluable. One parlour owner mentioned that they hosted a tasting event to gather customer feedback, which guided their menu choices for the entire summer. Another caterer tried a new tropical-flavoured ice cream mix, and it turned out to be the most popular item at outdoor events.
Granita – A Perfect Vegan Option
If you want to expand your offering to include options for vegans or those avoiding dairy, granita made from natural fruit juices is an excellent choice. This refreshing and light dessert fits perfectly with modern customer expectations. It’s worth trying out different flavours to tailor your menu to your visitors’ preferences.
Granita is not only a great choice for those seeking plant-based desserts, but it also serves as a refreshing alternative to traditional ice cream on hot days. You can opt for classic flavours such as orange or strawberry, or introduce fun, vibrant options like berry-flavoured granita in a bright blue colour, which is particularly popular with children. When choosing granita products, ensure they are made from real fruit juices and natural food colourings, as younger customers frequently enjoy them.
Our Experience
One food truck vendor I interviewed mentioned that adding granita to their menu drew in a new crowd of vegan and health-conscious customers. Another ice cream shop owner shared that offering vibrant granita flavours helped them stand out in a competitive market, especially during street fairs and summer festivals.
Watch this reel to get some inspiration:
Waffles – A Sweet and Savoury Menu Addition
More and more ice cream parlours are expanding their menus to include waffles – both sweet and savoury. This is a fantastic complement to an ice cream offering, attracting customers year-round, regardless of the weather. If you haven’t yet introduced waffles to your menu, now is the perfect time to test their popularity before the season begins.
Classic waffles served with whipped cream and fruit are always a hit, but customers are increasingly looking for unique flavour combinations. Consider adding savoury waffles, such as those topped with cheese, crispy fried chicken, and fresh vegetables. This diversification will make your shop appealing not just to those with a sweet tooth, but also to customers looking for filling snacks.
Watch this reel for some more inspo:
Our Experience
During my interviews, several parlour owners mentioned how adding waffles significantly boosted sales, especially when offered as a combo with ice cream. One caterer found that serving savoury waffle cones with a scoop of gourmet ice cream became a hit at outdoor summer weddings.
Choose a Supplier That Offers Marketing Support
A good ice cream supplier for the catering industry should be more than just a provider of high-quality mixes – they should also be a business partner. It’s worth choosing a brand that, in addition to excellent products, provides marketing materials and promotional support. This can include professional photos of the ice cream you create in your parlour, helping with advertising and customer engagement.
Marketing materials such as posters, menus, and social media graphics can greatly enhance your promotional efforts. Many suppliers also offer guidance on opening an ice cream parlour, including advice on choosing the right ice cream machines and which types of ice cream to serve.
Our Experience
Some vendors I spoke with highlighted the importance of receiving promotional materials from their suppliers. One shop owner noted that having branded banners and signs made a big difference during a summer festival, attracting more foot traffic to their booth.
Organise Tastings to Discover Customer Favourites
The pre-season period is the perfect time to organise tasting events for your regular customers. Ask for their feedback, see which flavours generate the most interest, and adjust your menu accordingly.
Tastings also serve as an effective promotional tool before the official start of the season. Consider inviting local influencers, hosting a competition, or simply encouraging customers to visit and share their opinions.
Our Experience
One caterer hosted a pre-season tasting for their regulars, which not only helped refine their menu but also created buzz for the upcoming season. Another ice cream parlour found that social media posts featuring live tasting events helped build anticipation and customer engagement.
Prioritise Quality – Choose a Trusted Ice Cream Supplier
Pre-season tastings are a crucial part of preparing for a successful ice cream season. Choose ice cream for your catering business from a reputable supplier that guarantees top quality, natural ingredients, and marketing support. Expand your offering with vegan granita and waffles – both sweet and savoury. Take advantage of starter kits to explore new possibilities – it’s an investment that could boost your sales and keep customers coming back all season long!
A travel hobbyist from Dallas TX, Mehru believes we all share one common language: good food. Eating her way around the world, Mehru has spent significant time learning about other cultures and their flavors (she also makes a mean chicken curry!). Now living in Brooklyn, she shares her adventures on social media (IG: @sheikhshack_). Previously, she’s ghost-written for travel blogs and even ran a food page.
