Gold Coast ice cream wins top Australian dairy award

Despite pistachio prices skyrocketing from the Dubai chocolate craze, a Southport ice-cream maker has claimed Australia’s top dairy award for their signature flavour.

When the price of pistachios skyrocketed overnight thanks to the viral Dubai chocolate trend, one Gold Coast-based business didn’t waiver despite increasing costs.

Now ice-creamery the Standard Market Co in Southport have taken home best in the country for their ice cold dairy products – winning champion for its Pistachio Cannoli flavour at the Australian Grand Dairy Awards last month.

Maggie Bekkara with some of her award winners. Picture Glenn Hampson

Production manager Maggie Bekkara said the secret to sweet success was passion.

“It is super exciting,” she said.

“The event was in Melbourne and the best of Australia were all there – everyone who handles dairy products. This is the only thing that I know, and I’m trying to do my best, so I’m incredibly grateful.”

Italian-born Ms Bekkara said her job was a love story – being “too passionate” about her craft.

“I love food. I love good quality ingredients and Australia is a beautiful resource of prime ingredients, from the milk, macadamia nuts – so it’s so cool to play around,” she said.

Maggie Bekkara with some of her award winners. Picture Glenn Hampson

Ms Bekkara said while the pistachio flavour was a favourite among customers, other top-sellers included Dubai – after the viral chocolate bar which features a pistachio-tahini cream filling and crispy kadayif pastry inside a chocolate shell – and Lindt chocolate.

Ms Bekkara said win aside, the most satisfaction came from customer feedback.

“It’s so satisfying to see people, customers and locals from the Gold Coast say ‘I love your ice cream’.”