Inside Alex and Ani’s Teas and Javas’s ice cream cart

The second RI Food Fights event, the Incredible Ice Cream Throwdown, took place this past Saturday, July 21, 2012. A sold out crowd descended upon the Wayland Square neighborhood in Providence to sample the best ice creams in Rhode Island. Eleven area ice cream makers competed to see who had the greatest frozen dessert treat according to a panel of three culinary judges (which included this writer) and the People’s Choice. Three awards, created by Ahlers Designs, and two honorable mentions were announced by the time the three hours of ice cream eating had come to a close.

It was a very close score between first and second place according to judges Pastry Chef Melissa Denmark of Gracie’s, Andrew Shotts of Garrison Confections and David Dadekian of Eat Drink RI. First place went to GaGa for their Lemon SherBetter, sold in a number of area stores. Second place, as well as People’s Choice, went to Three Sisters of Hope St. in Providence for their Kulfi ice cream, an almond base with cardamom, cinnamon and pistachios. The judges Honorable Mention went to The Inside Scoop‘s Turtle Chocolate Chip and the People’s Honorable Mention went to Bliss/Munroe Dairy for Graham Central Station. Congratulations to all the winners.

RI Food Fights was created and produced by Jim Nellis and Casey Spencer. John Taraborelli ably and entertainingly hosted the event, and Kristen Minsky was the fabulous Ice Cream Hostess. The other competitors were Savory Scoop Ice Cream, Ben and Jerry’s Eastside, DeCiantis Ice Cream, Teas and Javas, Mr. Nick’s Gelato and Ice Cream, Newport Creamery and Like No Udder.