Freeze-dried ice cream a winning idea

Young Enterprise chief excitement officer Terry Shubkin and the winning team (Names at end of article). Photo/Paul Allen

The problem of melting ice cream might have been solved by a team of enterprising teenagers from Columba College.

The ice cream-loving youngsters have devised a new product of freeze-dried ice cream.

Ice Cream Gals chief executive officer Genevieve Walker-Radich (17) said the product had certain advantages over normal ice cream.

"It doesn't melt, it doesn't fall off the cone, it doesn't give you brain freeze."

The team's idea impressed judges at a business pitch competition on Tuesday.

The team won the Otago Regional Young Enterprise competition, beating 22 rival teams in a pitch presentation, styled after the Dragon's Den television show.

The product had a "light crunchy texture" and test products had been made in four flavours - hokey pokey, boysenberry, chocolate and fruity gumdrops, Genevieve said.

The team had originally considered making a protein powder with freeze-dried fruit or making freeze-dried Nutella but the costs of production proved too high, so these options were shelved, she explained.

She would like to pursue a future career in business.

The year 13 pupil said her favourite subject was economics and she was interested in studying commerce.

She had learned the importance of working as a team from the project and of understanding financial logistics.

Genevieve enjoyed pitching the project because she and the other team members were passionate about it.

The Ice Cream Gals had a test run of the product but Genevieve said a product run was being completed that would soon be available for sale online and in some Dunedin stores.

Young Enterprise New Zealand chief excitement officer Terry Shubnik said the team impressed the judges with an innovative idea and detailed business plan.

The Otago regional winner for Young Enterprise will be decided on October 25. Winners will go to the national awards in Wellington on December 6.

Winning team: Aekkarin Tippayaratprontawee (17), Callie Turner (16), Annabelle Alloo (17), Genevieve Walker-Radich (17), Anna McCaughan (17), Kimberley Barker (17), Lucy Beres (18), Claire Yang (17).