The second Molly V’s Homemade Ice Cream flavor contest is now in the hands of the judges, and the task will be fun, but difficult.
That’s the sentiment from Michael Vistocco, the Victor ice cream shop’s owner.
“There are a lot of good submissions,” Vistocco said. “The judges are going to have a hard time narrowing them down.”
In all, 182 ice cream flavor ideas submitted by Molly V’s customers will be narrowed down to four finalists.
Flavors are bunched in several categories, including Candy, Coconut, Marshmallows and Nuts; Coffee and Maple; Cereal, Cookies and Desserts; Fruit & More; Banana and/or Peanut Butter; 4th of July; and Alcohol.
Who are the judges in the Molly V’s ice cream flavor contest?
The entries included the name of the flavor and ingredients. Judges, who do not know the names of the contestants, will pore over the recipes and make their decisions.
Besides me, Rachel Bateman, the winner of the first contest last year, is one of the judges this year. Gramma’s Cookie Drawer, the Victor resident’s winning flavor of white chocolate ice cream with shortbread cookies and raspberry swirl, is still a popular flavor on the menu, Vistocco said.
Bateman is excited to read through all the submissions and is looking forward to the more unique ideas. She also has a strategy.
“I tried all the flavors on the Molly V’s menu this past year, which has opened up my ice cream flavor palate and could help with my judging,” Bateman said.
The other judges include a food industry expert, Dominick Dardano, chef and owner of Fire on Main Restaurant in Victor. Also choosing a winner will be Channel 13 Meteorologist Marty Snyder.
As many already know, the forecast is always sunny when it comes to ice cream.
When will Molly V’s customers get to taste the winning flavor?
Once the judges have narrowed these 182 entries to four, Vistocco, who has no hand in the judging, will make each flavor, which he hopes to have done by the end of May.
“When I make the final four, I will do my best to capture the intent of the contestants’ submission,” Vistocco said.
Customers are the ultimate judges. They will be able to sample each of the finalists’ concoctions and vote on their favorite.
Whichever flavor earns the most votes wins. The winner will be announced shortly after the judging, which may come sometime in June.
In addition to bragging rights and free ice cream for a year, here’s what else the winner can expect.
The price of Molly V’s fame
Believe it or not, Bateman hasn’t been asked for tips or ideas for flavors in the last year, but she does get asked the story behind the name. For the record, her winning flavor was inspired by the cookies that Bateman, a toddler at the time, snuck from her grandmother’s cookie drawer.
“No one, except my husband, has asked me for ice cream, but I have made sure friends and family have tried my flavor,” Bateman said.
Bateman said it’s a great feeling when people tell her they enjoyed the flavor, and she is glad it’s still on the menu.
“I heard one person had my flavor during their lunch break every day for a week,” Bateman said. “That’s commitment!”
More about Molly V’s Homemade Ice Cream
Molly V’s Homemade Ice Cream is at 31 W. Main St., Victor. Hours are 1 to 9 p.m. daily. An ice cream trailer and cart are available for events. For more details, call 585-433-5911 or visit https://www.facebook.com/MollyVsIceCream/ or https://www.mollyvshomemadeicecream.com/.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. He can be reached at mmurphy@messengerpostmedia.com. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Molly V’s ice cream contest judges face a sweet challenge
Reporting by Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
