This year’s Balaton ice cream is a goat cheese creation

The expert jury tasted 31 ice cream creations from 17 Balaton ice cream parlors and pastry shops that entered the competition in the morning.

The aim of the event is to recognize the high-quality work of ice cream makers, draw attention to local ingredients and creative flavor combinations, and further strengthen the gastronomic appeal of Lake Balaton – said Tamás Fekete, president of the Balaton Tourism Association (BTSZ), which organized the competition and participated in the jury.

He explained that this year, the nominated ice creams were evaluated based on strict criteria, with taste, texture, appearance and innovation all playing an important role in the final decision. They also took into account whether regional ingredients were used to make the delicacy, he added.

Referring to the experiences of recent years, he said that the winning ice cream will not only earn its maker recognition, but is expected to become one of the most sought-after sweets of the summer season on the shores of Lake Balaton. The winning ice cream shops so far have become real tourist “pilgrimage sites”, he added.

Balázs Erdélyi, the professional president of the Hungarian Confectionery Industry Association and a member of the jury, evaluated the competition and said that the field was very strong this year as well. As he explained, the majority of the entries were made from natural and high-quality ingredients, and most of the time they also used local ingredients typical of the area. He noted that the contestants performed high-quality professional work.