Cookie Time Cookie Sandwiches have taken out gold and silver medals in the New Zealand Ice Cream Association Awards, further boosting the product’s export appeal.
Launched in March, Cookie Time Cookie Sandwiches pair two iconic Cookie Time cookies with either Appleby Ice Cream or chocolate frozen dessert. Phenomenal sales set a new benchmark for success in the novelty/singles ice cream category, with The Original™ Chocolate Chunk Cookie Sandwich and the plant-based Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie Sandwich becoming immediate best sellers.
The New Zealand Ice Cream Association Awards, announced on August 21st, saw The Original Cookie Sandwich win gold medals in two categories – New to Market, and Novelty Ice Cream; and the Double Chocolate Sandwich won silver in the same two categories.
Cookie Time Managing Director Guy Pope-Mayell says the company is already fielding multiple export inquiries for the Cookie Sandwiches.
“We’re currently exporting Cookie Time cookies to more than 20 export markets, and the cookie sandwich is gaining huge interest as an export opportunity in a second treat category,” he says.
“We’re already working with global retail chains from Australia to Japan and seeing huge potential to add Cookie Sandwiches to the export mix. The level of interest reinforces how iconic these Cookie Sandwiches have immediately become in the ice cream novelty space – building on Cookie Time’s reputation as a much-loved Kiwi classic.”
Appleby Farms Executive Director Kristy Giles says the medals are a significant achievement.
“The New Zealand Ice Cream Association Awards are coveted, and the novelty category is only two years old. For Cookie Sandwiches to take out gold and silver in this category is testament to an incredibly successful product launch with a great team and lets everyone know that Appleby Farms and Cookie Time have the capability to compete in the novelty ice cream market,” she says.
“Gold medal winners are also in the running for a Category Trophy. The Trophy Awards are announced at an industry cocktail function on August 31, so we’re delighted to be trophy contenders too. Watch this space.”
The New Zealand Ice Cream Awards medal winners are a roll call of New Zealand’s ice cream and gelato makers from big players such as Tip Top, Much Moore and New Zealand Creameries to boutique makers like Patagonia Chocolates from Queenstown, Appleby Farms in Nelson and Island Gelato Co in Auckland.
For a list of NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards medal winners and further information visit www.nzicecreamandgelato.co.nz
Main photo: Appleby Farms ED Kristy Giles and Cookie Time MD Guy Pope-Mayell with the plant based Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie Sandwich.