SPOTLIGHT PROFILE: Arctic Stone Ice-Cream
I have great love and passion for the array of artisan producers and products available throughout Ireland at the moment; as indeed do the people behind these goods. I've always been interested to hear about how they got into what they're doing, why the love it and why we should too.
Along with some whimsical food questions, I'm attempting to peer behind the veil a little in these new instalments, I hope you enjoy them. This week, I chat to Caolan Cullen of Arctic Stone Ice-Cream.
Caolan, how did Arctic Stone come to be?
Since I came back from Asia last August, I have been developing the concept. The name, logo, techniques, flavours and everything involved in creating a business in the food industry. After months of preparation and work we officially launched in Blackrock Market and since then the rolling hasn't stopped. We have now traveled throughout the Dublin market scene and done some of the countries biggest festivals, the highlight of which was Electric Picnic. An experience that my brother and I will never forget.
How do you make the ice-cream?
We start by pouring our liquid ice cream onto our custom made cold plates, and as the mixture freezes we chop in the ingredients that the customer has chosen. We then lay the ice cream out flat and scrap off into spirals of delicious ice cream, creating the freshest possible ice cream you can have. We also tend to write the name of the customer in the ice cream, to add more customisation to the process. We then top the each ice cream off with desired toppings, creating a flavour sensation like no other.
What made you want to work in the food industry?
I have always loved food,with previous experience in a food start up, my dream was to always open up a market stall and own my own food company. After travelling through south east Asia I discovered rolled ice cream in the market places of Thailand and on the back of graduating from UCD decided why not bring it to Ireland. Together with my brother Thomas we have created a ice cream company that is completely unique and original to Ireland.
Take us through the prep process.
Along with some whimsical food questions, I'm attempting to peer behind the veil a little in these new instalments, I hope you enjoy them. This week, I chat to Caolan Cullen of Arctic Stone Ice-Cream.
Arctic Stone Ice-Cream was particularly chosen for this week because of something amazing they are doing in the People's Park in Dun Laoghaire (see below image). So if you pop by and visit them today, not only will you be getting awesome ice-cream, you'll be supporting a great cause.
Caolan, how did Arctic Stone come to be?
Since I came back from Asia last August, I have been developing the concept. The name, logo, techniques, flavours and everything involved in creating a business in the food industry. After months of preparation and work we officially launched in Blackrock Market and since then the rolling hasn't stopped. We have now traveled throughout the Dublin market scene and done some of the countries biggest festivals, the highlight of which was Electric Picnic. An experience that my brother and I will never forget.
How do you make the ice-cream?
We start by pouring our liquid ice cream onto our custom made cold plates, and as the mixture freezes we chop in the ingredients that the customer has chosen. We then lay the ice cream out flat and scrap off into spirals of delicious ice cream, creating the freshest possible ice cream you can have. We also tend to write the name of the customer in the ice cream, to add more customisation to the process. We then top the each ice cream off with desired toppings, creating a flavour sensation like no other.
What made you want to work in the food industry?
I have always loved food,with previous experience in a food start up, my dream was to always open up a market stall and own my own food company. After travelling through south east Asia I discovered rolled ice cream in the market places of Thailand and on the back of graduating from UCD decided why not bring it to Ireland. Together with my brother Thomas we have created a ice cream company that is completely unique and original to Ireland.
Take us through the prep process.
During the development stage of our product, we tried various different dairy ratios until we found a product we were delighted with. We tested countless flavour combinations at the start, the first of which was Oreo, and from that moment we knew we were onto something special. Since then we have created 15 different and unique flavours. Every couple of weeks we try think of one different flavour that is completely unique and original.
What kind of flavours do you offer?
Every week we have 7 signature flavours, but our most popular would be The Cookie Monster (Cookies & Nutella), Berry Necessities ( a medley of mixed fruit), and Salted Caramel (caramel and fresh cracked sea salt).
Where do you get inspiration from?
We tend to get inspiration from everywhere really, we have used products from fellow market traders, like cupcakes or brownies, and our American Dream (apple pie ice cream) was inspired by the 4th of July. We just try to create a unique experience in an ice cream our customers can not get anywhere else.
Caolan, if you were a flavour of ice-cream, what would you be?
If I was to say which flavour I'd be most like, it would have to be our signature Moy Beuno ( Kinder Beuno and hazelnut) because at the end of the day aren't we all a little bit nuts?
And what would you have for your last meal?
My last meal would have to be our signature Brownie Points ice cream, a mix of home made chocolate brownies and caramel. It is like no other ice cream out there.
Where can people find you?
We are currently situated in the South Dublin Markets in Marlay Park Market in Rathfarnham on Saturdays and People's Park Dun Laoghaire on Sundays. We also do catering for weddings, birthdays, and other events. We are hoping to unveil big news in the coming months, so to keep up to date on our locations we update our Facebook/Instagram/Twitter page weekly.
All photos are courtesy of Arctic Stone social media.
Comments
Post a Comment