Most who are brave enough to head out to the beach (or outside at all) during this week's heatwave will need a few ideas on how to keep themselves cool.
As well as the essentials of drinking plenty of water to keep hydrated and lathering up with sun cream, an ice cream is guaranteed to cool you down, even if it's only temporary. And the good news?
The Times has named a North East ice cream parlour one of the best in the UK. Just weeks after naming Sandhaven Beach as one of the best beaches in the country, its reporters have continued their love affair with South Shields to shout from the rooftops about legendary local parlour Minchella's.
Starting as a pitch at Boldon Colliery in 1942 when founder Giuseppe sold his product to the miners after a hard day's work, the company has come a long way since then, and now has parlours on the Elevated Walkway and Ocean Road in South Shields. It is no stranger to winning awards, having been named the ICA National Ice Cream Champion for 2018/19, while team leader was named a rising star in the ice cream industry in 2020.
It's also scooped awards for its ice cream itself - Minchella's pistachio was voted the best ice cream in the UK in 2018 and its vegan peach took first prize in the alternative class for ice cream in 2020.
Of Minchella's, Jamie Lafferty wrote: "Perched on the walkway above Sandhaven Beach (the Sunday Times beach of the year) since 1942, the Minchella family’s parlour is arguably the best in the business along the North East coast. Various accolades — including national ice cream champion — have arrived over the years in recognition for their excellent products and service.
"Aficionados are unlikely to choose the absurd bubblegum sundae, but it’s a firm favourite with kids. Elsewhere, classics such as the knickerbocker glory have been updated to include a vegan option, while its Madagascan vanilla can be made with oat milk."
To read the full article in The Times, click here.
Where's your favourite place to get ice cream on the North East Coast? Let us know!
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