Photo: Chaiel Schaffel/WBZ NewsRadio
PEABODY, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A beloved North Shore ice cream cafe chain is scooping up accolades and awards.
Among its most recent industry achievements, Holy Cow Ice Cream Cafe was named an 'Ice Cream Grand Master' at the North American Ice Cream Association's annual ConeCon convention.
Also, for the third consecutive year, the chain won the Northeast region's Flavor of the Year.
This year, its Pistachio Baklava won the regional award... honey-infused pistachio butter, ice cream with bits of pistachio toffee, and crispy bits of phyllo dough.
Holy Cow also took home a blue ribbon for its new Ecuadorian Cocoa and was recognized for its core chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla flavors.
Holy Cow founder and creative director Mike Schifino was asked how they manage to keep churning out award-winning ice cream and new creative flavors while staying open year-round.
He said always striving for new ideas and new recipes is the lifeblood of Holy Cow. "We kind of have to keep things fresh and keep people coming in to get the new stuff."
Schifino added that it doesn't have to be a hot sunny day when New Englanders want ice cream. "We had our all-time sales day on quite literally the coldest day in Massachusetts history," he said. "The weather is not always a factor for New Englanders."
Holy Cow Ice Cream Cafes located in Peabody and Gloucester are open throughout the year.
The Salem Mass. and Dennisport locations are closed during winter.
WBZ NewsRadio's Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.