Spoons of Dorset: The Ice Cream Parlour Experience

I started my hospitality career full-time by opening Spoons of Dorset, our charming Ice Cream Parlour, in 2020. The decision to launch an Ice Cream Parlour was a fresh addition to our beautiful town. 'Spoons,' as the locals affectionately call us, opened its doors just as Covid hit, but I chose to remain open during that challenging time while following all Government guidelines. This turned out to be a fantastic decision, as the locals had a place to gather, and I was able to share my ideas for this exciting new venture.

Being a wildly creative person, the ideas for expanding Spoons of Dorset just kept flowing, and so did our customers.

• We began offering light lunches, hosting parties, and themed evenings.

• Our summer menu featured 30 different flavoured milkshakes.

• We opened on Christmas Day and Boxing Day for two consecutive years.

• In the winter, we introduced a hot chocolate menu, including a slow-cooked hot chocolate bar.

• We hosted cookie decorating competitions and pumpkin carving events.

• We served bubble waffles and bubble tea, along with candy floss available with or without ice cream.

• We even had Father Christmas and elves visiting with snow for the kids.

I was able to let my imagination run wild, creating fun and delicious food and drink items that brought joy and happy memories to my customers.

Reflecting on a few memorable moments, during Covid, when work was scarce and money was tight, I prepared food packages to distribute around town, especially to children at the Skate Park and those walking through the meadows. This was one of our first acts of kindness, and I had two young volunteers assist with the distribution; one of them, Cerys, still works alongside me today.

We also held Friday night treat nights, where kids could help themselves to sprinkles and sauces, making it a beloved weekly event for those looking for an end-of-week treat after school. I still remember the ice cream flavours that were most popular among them.

Our hot chocolate bar featured my own special recipe, kept warm all day in a slow cooker, with toppings galore, plenty of syrups, and gallons of whipped cream to enjoy. At Christmas, we crafted chocolate bombs available for purchase as gifts.

I gained new nicknames like 'The Ice Cream Lady' and 'Mrs Spoons' from the children.

All the amazing customers who came in for a coffee or requested us to host a birthday party or baby shower are fondly remembered today, and many have become dear friends. Thank you 🫶