A tiny suburban Auckland shop has secured a top prize at the New Zealand Ice Cream and Gelato Awards 2026, taking home the Supreme Boutique Champion title for its blueberry yoghurt gelato just seven months after opening. Esther Cai’s Takapuna scoop shop, Joylato, triumphed amid a crowded field of 320 entries, marking a significant surge from the 260 entries submitted the previous year, according to competition organizers.
Joylato Triumphs at the 2026 New Zealand Awards
Esther Cai’s shop made a major impact at the 2026 awards, claiming four trophies in total. Alongside the Supreme Boutique Champion title, Joylato won Gelato Champion, New to Market, and New Entrant awards. The competition featured a wide array of imaginative flavours ranging from cereal milk and garlic bread to internationally inspired creations such as Subi and Brother’s Dulce de Letche Kheer and Appleby Farms’ Salted Lemongrass Ice Cream.
Competition head judge Geoff Scott noted that technical mastery served as the ultimate equalizer between small suburban storefronts and powerhouse processors. According to Scott, the winning blueberry yoghurt gelato provided exceptional technical execution, a beautiful balance, and absolute clarity of flavour. He described the yoghurt base as wonderfully clean, fresh, and vibrant, featuring a natural tang that allowed the blueberry to complement rather than dominate the palate.
Mt Arthur Snowfall Vanilla Claims Co-Top Honor
The other top prize of the competition went to Open Country Motueka Creamery for its Mt Arthur Snowfall Vanilla, which won the Hall’s Cold Chain Logistics Supreme Champion award. Scott praised the vanilla ice cream for its rich, authentic, and beautifully rounded flavor, supported by an incredibly smooth, creamy texture and a luxurious mouthfeel. Every element remained in harmony to deliver what consumers look for in a premium vanilla offering.
Kohu Road secured wins with its Dark Chocolate Ice Cream and Mango Sorbet, while Patagonia Chocolates claimed the Dark Chocolate Sorbet title alongside an NZICA New Entrant recognition.
Future Industry Outlook and Category Winners
Additional category winners included MooMii Gelato for Golden Mango, Subi and Brother for their Dulche de Letche Kheer, Deep South for Mango Ripple, and Much Moore Ice Cream Co for Wonders Strawberry Low Fat Yoghurt Ice Cream.