Pork pâté ice cream whets French appetites

TWO French farmers have come up with a revolutionary concoction to challenge even the most adventurous foodies: pork pâté ice cream.

Patrice and Catherine Riauté from Parcé-sursarthe in northwest France insist their new Gallic glace aux rillette is already a hit with locals, as the school canteen has ordered 500 cups of the frozen pink delicacy.

The pair dreamed up the unusual flavour for the local Printemps des Rillettes festival, which gives pride of place to the Sarthe speciality of rillettes, a potted meat similar to pâté, and has a contest for the best products.

“It seems to work,” said Mrs Riauté. “People clearly like it as you can really taste the rillettes.”

“It’s not sickly, it’s very light. People were surprised, but pleasantly surprised,” said her husband. “They hesitate a bit, but when they go for it, they’re smitten.”