The Ice Cream Alliance’s prestigious annual ice cream awards has always been the gold standard of excellence in the ice cream industry. Every year, worthy ice cream manufacturers, parlours and mobilers fight for the highest honours in the ice cream world, facing rigorous judging standards and fierce competition.
This year, however, the stakes were higher than ever. Sponsored by Whitby Morrison, the world’s leading manufacturer of ice cream vehicles, The Mobiler of the Year brought together the winners of the past 15 years in a special Champion of Champions round – the ultimate showdown to determine the very best in the business.
The Ice Cream Alliance Awards Night revealed that the title belongs to Ian Smith of Mr Whippy Leeds.
Accepting the award to loud applause, Smith simply stated “What else can you say? I’m the best mobiler in the country!”
Director of Whitby Morrison, Ed Whitby, presented the award to the winner with a few warm words. “As sponsor it was a privilege to be in the company of genuine industry legends and a real honour to present the award to Ian. There is no finer individual or business to represent Ice Cream Mobiling and act as the leading ambassador. To have the Whitby Morrison name alongside that of Ian, Champion of Champions, we could not be more proud.”
Reflecting on his achievement, Smith added, “Because of the hard work we do, we try to be the best in everything. Winning an award like this just proves that we are doing what we need to do to be the best.”
Smith won Mobiler of the Year back again in 2020, a particularly challenging time due to the pandemic lockdown. “When I won that year, business boomed initially because winning the Mobiler of the Year helped us get more contracts and more work,” he shared.
Smith comes from a colourful family of ice cream mobilers. His father started in 1962, and Ian joined him at just 12 years old before striking out on his own in 1987. Today, with a fleet of seven retro-style ice cream vans, he continues to bring nostalgic joy to people across Leeds all-year round.
A true ice cream man, Ian Smith has officially earned his place as the nation’s ultimate ice cream champion.
- Anthony White
