EDITION 14
The Scoop with Duff’s Ice Cream
What do you get when you combine a food scientist with an ice cream shop? The answer is Wickham’s newest must-try venue: Duff’s Ice Cream, where chief Ice Cream Architect Olivia Duff is scooping up flavours you won’t find anywhere else.
Central Coast locals may have had the pleasure of trying Duff’s Ice Cream via Olivia’s mobile van, and then later a shipping container, over the past few years. But when those options were no longer viable, Olivia started the search for a more permanent location and happened upon the perfect space in Union Street, Wickham, close to the Newcastle Interchange.
Having studied Food Science at university, Olivia was inspired by a food study tour of the United States where she got to visit food production labs where the likes of Ben and Jerry’s learnt their trade. She went on to work in food production for Mars and then for the Australian gelato company, Gelatissimo, before deciding to pursue something of her own.
“I wanted to do my own thing in ice cream and during Covid lockdown, a Canadian university – Guelph – who offers one of the oldest ice cream courses in the world, provided their ice
cream certification online for the first time in 100 years of teaching,” says Olivia. “I jumped at the opportunity to further my food science studies and also found a second hand ice cream truck on Facebook Marketplace, which later became a kiosk near the beach.”
Having studied Food Science at university, Olivia was inspired by a food study tour of the United States where she got to visit food production labs where the likes of Ben and Jerry’s learnt their trade.
Now with so much more space to develop new flavours, Olivia is not afraid to experiment and combine what some may say are unlikely ingredients. The full menu rotates every six weeks and each week she also features a mystery flavour where the exact ingredients are not disclosed and customers are invited to be a little adventurous with their choice (no samples allowed!) Those with a dairy-free diet are also catered for with weekly vegan soft serve flavours available, and many are gluten and nut-free too.
“We focus on creating the best ice cream we can through understanding and implementing the science of ice cream,” says Olivia. “I’ve spent a lot of time perfecting my base recipes for each flavour profile that we make from scratch on site. The fun bit is we experiment so much, and I have the power to change anything to suit! More caramel, more zest, smoother, etc!”
Olivia says she is committed to using the best quality ingredients she can find, and focuses on coming up with nostalgic, forward-flavour profiles that conjure the senses and make a visit to Duff’s a memorable experience.
When it comes to the process behind developing new flavours, Olivia says she often feels like she can taste the new combinations before she physically has.
“I keep a little black book of flavour ideas – sometimes they just pop into my head,” says Olivia. “I’ve been in the food production industry for nine years now so it’s almost second nature. Other times ideas are sparked by something I’ve eaten – say my favourite lemon chicken for dinner. This actually inspired the Chinese Five Spice ice cream with a lemon curd swirl!”
If you’re looking for something other than ice cream, Duff’s is also a great spot for a cosy afternoon coffee on the couch … They’ve partnered with The Little Marionette for their coffee, and also offer a Crema Di Caffè – an Italian creamed frozen coffee.
Olivia says she likes to combine a ‘high-brow’ ingredient with a nostalgic ‘low-brow’ ingredient for a juxtaposition in flavours. Currently she’s selling a ‘Boujee Coco Pops’ flavour that has a Belgium Cocoa ice cream base with a decadent fudge swirl and coco pops. It’s cleverly designed to be nostalgic, but elevated to meet the adult palate and take you back to your childhood at the same time. Since opening, the ‘LCM S’mores’, ‘Strawberry Milk White Chocolate’ and ‘Ginger Beer with Biscoff’ have all been popular flavours.
If you’re looking for something other than ice cream, Duff’s is also a great spot for a cosy afternoon coffee on the couch (think ‘Friends’ vibes). They’ve partnered with The Little Marionette for their coffee, and also offer a Crema Di Caffè – an Italian creamed frozen coffee. Some Italian locals have confirmed they’re currently the only place in Newcastle offering this nostalgic dessert.
As the weather warms up, Duff’s Ice Cream’s opening hours will increase, making it the perfect spot to drop in on a lazy summer afternoon for an ice cream scoop you won’t find anywhere else.
Duff’s Ice Cream
9 Union Street, Wickham