Scream Fest!!

Dine 'N Dish

by Janet Donovan | on July 22nd, 2014 |

You know that silly little jingle you learned as a kid? “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.” Apparently someone was listening. Union Market hosted its fourth annual DC Scoop event at Dock 5 that attracted over 5,000 Washingtonians who downed a wide array of sweets from over 15 different creameries, from gelato to ice cream sandwiches and popsicles to liquid nitrogen scoops (don’t ask.)

We may want to thank President Ronald Reagan for that. In 1984, he designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. In the proclamation, Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe these events with “appropriate ceremonies and activities.”

We were curious about the origins of ice cream, so we did a little digging.

“Ice cream’s origins are known to reach back as far as the second century B.C.,” according to the International Dairy Foods Association, “although no specific date of origin nor inventor has been undisputably credited with its discovery. We know that Alexander the Great enjoyed snow and ice flavored with honey and nectar. Biblical references also show that King Solomon was fond of iced drinks during harvesting. During the Roman Empire, Nero Claudius Caesar (A.D. 54-86) frequently sent runners into the mountains for snow, which was then flavored with fruits and juices.

Over a thousand years later, Marco Polo returned to Italy from the Far East with a recipe that closely resembled what is now called sherbet. Historians estimate that this recipe evolved into ice cream sometime in the 16th century. England seems to have discovered ice cream at the same time, or perhaps even earlier than the Italians. “Cream Ice,” as it was called, appeared regularly at the table of Charles I during the 17th century. France was introduced to similar frozen desserts in 1553 by the Italian Catherine de Medici when she became the wife of Henry II of France. It wasn’t until 1660 that ice cream was made available to the general public. The Sicilian Procopio introduced a recipe blending milk, cream, butter and eggs at Café Procope, the first café in Paris.” So – there you have it.

Guests engaged in activities ranging from photo booth and face painting stations to raffles and giveaways.

Timber Pizza Co. and Luke’s Lobster served savory bites throughout the event. The panel of judges – including ANC Commissioners Peta-Gay Lewis and Kathy Henderson, Dolcezza Gelato’s Robb Duncan and Ice Cream Jubilee’s Victoria Lai, crowned Nicecream Factory of Arlington the Best DC Scoop of 2014.

However, it was the Kid’s Ice Cream Eating Contest that stole the show. Parents and bystanders cheered on a group of 6-9 year olds competing for the winning title. Kids who gulped, scooped and ate the fastest, took home tee shirts, Dolcezza Gelato gift cards and stickers and probably went home sick.

We hear that this year’s DC Scoop winner Nicecream Factory pairs liquid nitrogen with fresh local ingredients to create flavors for customers on the spot – a business model developed by Nicecream owners Gilbert Welsford and Sandra Tran.

“We’re so excited to be recognized,” Welsford exclaimed. “There were so many incredible competitors participating in this year’s DC Scoop event. We were certainly nervous but very surprised with the outcome. We’re passionate about what we do and we’re glad to provide the DC and Northern Virginia areas with what we think is the best ice cream out there!” he said.