Remember the good old days when ice cream trucks used to drive around the neighbourhood, playing that unmistakable tune that would make you drop everything and dash for your frozen treat?
It seems they may have disappeared but we might be hearing that catchy music on the North Coast again, thanks to a British immigrant with a bright idea.
Amanda Maidman, who has lived in SA for eight years, wants to take ‘Scoop’ – her ice cream and sorbet business – along the North Coast in a tuk tuk.
She started Scoop only a month ago and already she is scrambling to meet the demand.
“I have been working in restaurants since I was 14 years old, starting out in a little sport canteen. There, I found a passion for people, food and service.”
She studied at a hotel for a few years but found it too slow, so she became the youngest Pizza Hut manager in London, at 19 years old.
“I learnt so much more on the job than at school. I preferred to be on the floor being mentored and learning through experience,” said Maidman.
Then came an opportunity where she co-ordinated and ran the set up of 30 Gastro pubs in some of the most amazing parts of London with the chance to work with top class chefs.
A Gastro pub is a food-led pub where the menu changes daily according to the suppliers’ specials and what produce is in season.
She emigrated to SA with her husband Terence, who is originally from Durban, and her two children Luc (11) and Maya (6) in 2006 because the couple wanted a better lifestyle for their kids.
After a five-year break of being a full time mom she commuted to London over 12 months to help Wager Mamma in London set up their noodle bars.
Soon after, she put out feelers to start up her own business in Durban.
“When I was thinking about a deli I always saw myself doing ice cream. At the first pub I set up, Fire Stables, there was a phenomenal chef who started making ice cream in a little machine. I could not believe the difference in taste from normal ice cream. ”
She started making ice cream using a machine that had been hiding at the back of her cupboard.
“People were blown away by the freshness. I love local ingredients and fresh produce.”
Once Maidman came across an advert for a tuk tuk for sale the idea was born – the tuk tuk is still en route to SA.
Maidman makes French style ice cream, a custard base made with egg, cream and sugar, and a wide range of fruit sorbets, from mango with toasted coconut to granadilla and banana.
Her top sellers are butter salted caramel and 70% chocolate chip and her product can be found at ‘Salt Café’, ‘Home grown’ at the Litchi Orchard and many markets in the area. When the tuk tuk arrives – no confirmed date yet – you will also find her product on the street.
Contact Amanda on 082 307 1096 or email her on enquiries@scoopicecream.co.za. You can also find ‘Scoop’ on Facebook.
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