Oh we don’t need to
FAMILY-RUN CAFE 25 MILES FROM COAST WINS OUR 2017 GOLDEN CONE AWARD FOR TOP SCOOPS AND WARM WELCOME
On a quiet street, in a tiny town, almost 25 miles from the seaside, sits a hidden gem in Scotland’s ice cream scene.
And the Sunday Mail can reveal that Barrhead’s Central Café is this year’s winner of the Sunday Mail Golden Cone Award.
Seeking Scotland’s best scoop, radio presenter Cat Harvey, actress Libby McArthur and ice cream scientist Jean Pearce shunned the traditional seaside parlours which have won in previous years.
An institution in the Renfrewshire town, owner Riccardo Crolla has been making and serving the very best Italian ice cream for decades after learning the trade from his dad Antonio.
The 46-year-old dad of three said: “I’m gobsmacked to have won. We’ve been here for years, just serving locals and doing our own thing. We’ve never entered a competition before and I just can’t believe we have won. It means so much.
“Our loyal local customers have really gotten behind us.”
Antonio arrived in Scotland from Picinisco in Italy in 1958, at the age
of 18. Moving to Glasgow to be closer to his wife Maria’s family, he took over the Central Café in 1968 and the tiny red-fronted shop has been there ever since.
Antonio passed his trade down to his sons and Riccardo now runs the business with his wife Lisa, 37.
Much like his own start in the family firm, Riccardo’s daughters Maria, 14, Giuliana, 11, and Gabriella, eight, are already lending a hand. He said: “I’ve worked in the shop since I was 11 and now both my older daughters help out too. Although they’re still young, they already know the business inside out.
“That’s part of the tradition – people love that we are a family-run business and they know us so well.
“We know most of our customers by name and I’ve lived in Barrhead all my life – I’m a local through and through .” Riccardo makes ice cream using a vertical freezer, a very traditional method now rarely used by other gelaterias.
The cafe only started offering different flavours 18 months ago. Before that, it was all about classic vanilla.
Ice cream expert Jean praised Riccardo’s creations. She said: “Riccardo runs a real cafe and his hard work really shines through. The ice cream at Central Cafe is delicious and the special flavours are really ‘owned’ by Riccardo.”
Apart from the tasty treats, our judges were bowled over by the warmth, generosity and friendliness of the Central Cafe team – something which made them stand out.
Cat said: “This is a family-run Italian cafe bursting with personality and heart. Riccardo and Lisa know all their customers and are clearly passionate ababout the ice cream mmaking process.
“They have eight flavours on the go – the pink grapefruit sorbet was incredible – but they have clearly also perfected the classics.
“It’s the type of place you could sit with the Sunday Mail for an hour, enjoying the banter and atmosphere. Authentic, welcoming and cheap, it’s a true gem.” Libby said: “The folk at Central Cafe were happy and every need was met in this charming, community- centred proper cafe. Their vanilla is beautiful.”
Now, after winning, Riccardo and his family are going to continue to do what they do best – making ice cream. We’ll see you there for a cone.