Meet the man behind Melbourne’s most decadent ice creams
An award-winning ice cream maker is scooping up rose petal, saffron, chili chocolate and other unique flavours in his new Mernda store. Would you try them?
North
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When Mernda man Hamish Makadia abandoned a Bachelor of Architectural Design to return to his home town of Rajkot in India to learn how to make ice cream, those who grew up with him were puzzled.
“I’m from a reputable family and cooking in India isn’t valued the same as other jobs,” Mr Makadia said.
Six months training at his hometown ice cream shop was “difficult”.
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“They made fun of me a bit, saying ‘You aren’t able to make it’,” Mr Makadia said.
But six years on he is wowing Melbourne palates with the opening of his Exotica Gourmet Ice Cream store at 1/40 Breadalbane Ave in Mernda.
“It is my passion, he said.
“Ice cream makes people smile and when they smile, I smile.”
When it comes to flavours, you won’t find a simple vanilla or chocolate tub, but rather a delicacy of flavours ranging from turmeric latte and chilli chocolate to fig almond.
In 2017 Mr Makadia scooped a bronze Australian Food Award for his saffron pistachio ice cream and last year he took home three silver placings for rose petal, alphonso mango and saffron flavours.
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Mrs Makadia said her husband even took flavour requests, creating an old fashioned licorice flavour that was “delicious”.
Mr Makadia said his ice creams were founded on a recipe of all-natural, fresh ingredients, fantastic customer service and vegan options.
The new store has received rave reviews on social media, described as “a must try”, “great value”, “so delicious” and “simply great”.
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