2025 “Ice Cream of the Year” Winner Announced: Dörgicse Almond
A Sweet Win for Hungary’s Ice Cream Scene
If you’re visiting Budapest this summer, get ready to treat your taste buds! Hungary’s ice cream artisans have just scooped up major awards at the 2025 “Ice Cream of the Year” competition. This is fantastic news for tourists and residents alike, as it means more creative, high-quality gelato is available than ever across the country—including right here in Budapest.
The Story Behind Hungary’s Ice Cream Success
Hungary’s love affair with ice cream runs deep, but in recent years, the country’s gelato makers have been turning heads internationally. The annual “Ice Cream of the Year” competition, organized by the Hungarian Confectioners’ Guild, is a highlight of the culinary calendar. This year’s festival-style event took place in Hajdúszoboszló, Europe’s largest spa complex, where competitors prepared their entries in front of spectators to help consumers better understand the secrets of ice cream making.
The competition isn’t just about finding the best scoop—it’s also about inspiring innovation and educating consumers about quality ingredients and adventurous flavors. According to Balázs Erdélyi, president of the Hungarian Confectioners’ Guild, the goal is to promote traditional, high-quality artisan ice cream and encourage demand for healthy, quality handcrafted products.
A Festival Atmosphere with Professional Competition
This year’s event was held as a public festival, complete with family-friendly activities on the Saturday before Children’s Day. The competition took place in a fully equipped ice cream laboratory using three professional Carpigiani freezing machines from morning until early afternoon. Following the competition, various entertaining and educational ice cream demonstrations, tastings, and a professional exhibition enriched the program.
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Special Centennial Category: “Pávai’s Favorite”
In honor of Hajdúszoboszló and the 100th anniversary of the discovery of the town’s medicinal waters, organizers created a special new category called “Pávai’s Favorite.” Named after Dr. Ferenc Pávai Vajna, the geologist known as “the father of thermal waters,” whose favorite dessert was apple pie, this category featured ice creams made with apples and apple pie flavors.
Highlights and Key Facts from the 2025 Competition
- Record Participation: Over 100 ice creams competed in five categories, with more than 130 flavors available for tasting throughout the day
- Grand Prize Winner: The coveted “Ice Cream of the Year” trophy went to “Dörgicsei Mandulás” (Dörgicse Almond) flavor, created by Sándor Márton of Bagaméri Fagylaltozó, Balatonfüred
- Creative Flavors: Alongside traditional favorites, judges sampled bold new creations including:
- Orange-caramel brown butter ice cream
- Spiced masala tea gelato
- Malted pecan flavor
- Cottage cheese-based varieties
- Berry combinations featuring raspberry, blackberry, currant, strawberry, plus surprising additions like josta berries and rowan berries
- Adventurous spices like Madagascar wild pepper, rose pepper, and piquant timur pepper
Complete Competition Results
“A” Category: Artisan Ice Cream Shops
- Gold Medal & Ice Cream of the Year Winner: DÖRGICSEI MANDULÁS – Sándor Márton, Bagaméri Fagylaltozó, Balatonfüred
- Silver Medal: CAMELIA – László Gyuris, Virág Cukrászda, Szeged
- Bronze Medal: BRÜSZKE – Zsombor Gábor Szabó, Mignon Cukrászda, Debrecen
“M” Free-From Category (Sugar, Gluten, Lactose & Milk Protein Free)
- Gold Medal: SÓS PISZTÁCIA SORBET FEKETERIBIZLIS ÁFONYÁVAL – Ágnes Böröczky-Asztalos, Margaréta Fagyizó, Balatonszemes
- Silver Medal: BOGYÓS JAZZ – Dávid Wilheim, DaCrema Fagyizó, Nagykanizsa
- Bronze Medal: RIO – Roland Kovács, Krém Cukrászda, Székesfehérvár
“Pávai’s Favorite” Apple Category
- Gold Medal: TÜNDÉRPITE – Sándor Márton, Bagaméri Fagylaltozó, Balatonfüred
- Silver Medal: SZÁZÉVES ALMA – Jenő Vadócz, Promenád Kávéház, Balatongyörök
- Bronze Medal: MESE ALMÁS – Andrea Koncz, Sissi Fagylaltozó, Gödöllő
“C” Category: Ingredient Manufacturers & Distributors
- Gold Medal: KEKSZ ON THE BEACH – Ferenc Kádár, m-GEL Hungary Kft., Budapest
- Silver Medal: TRIPLAMOGYORÓS PALACSINTA VÖRÖSÁFONYÁVAL – Norbert Szabados, König-Units Kft., Üllő
- Bronze Medal: ÁFONYÁS CLAFOUTIS (TEJPITE) – Norbert Szabados, König-Units Kft., Üllő
Special Awards and Recognition
- Public Choice Award: PISZTÁCIA KANDÍROZOTT CITRUSOKKAL – Éva Heléna Marsa, Vanília&Gelarto, Nagykőrös
- Professional Organizations Special Award: BALATONI MÁMOROS CSOKOLÁDÉ – Nándor Bergmann, A Kis Bergmann Cukrászda, Balatonfüred
- Hajdúszoboszló Centennial 2025 Special Award: TÜNDÉRPITE – Sándor Márton, Bagaméri Fagylaltozó, Balatonfüred
All award-winning competitors also received a special prize courtesy of Hungarospa Hajdúszoboszlói Zrt.: spa and Premium Zone admission for two people.
The Champion: Dörgicse Almond Ice Cream
The star of this year’s competition was Sándor Márton’s “Dörgicsei Mandulás” (Dörgicse Almond) from Bagaméri Fagylaltozó in Balatonfüred, which claimed the “Ice Cream of the Year” wandering trophy for 2025.
This award-winning creation follows the competition’s strict artisan standards, featuring natural base and supplementary ingredients with a cooked milk base and exclusively homemade toppings and decorations. The ice cream showcases premium almond flavoring that captures the essence of the small village of Dörgicse in the Balaton Uplands region.
What sets this almond ice cream apart is Márton’s commitment to traditional craftsmanship – using only natural ingredients without artificial additives, following the traditional technological sequence required for the artisan category. The result is a pure, authentic almond flavor that impressed judges among 100 competing entries.
International Recognition: Hungary’s Gelato Goes Global
Hungarian ice cream isn’t just winning at home. Fazekas Ádám, Hungary’s reigning gelato world champion, is currently at the top of the international rankings. The Hungarian team also brought home a bronze medal from the latest Gelato World Cup, and over the past decade, they’ve consistently returned from global competitions with medals and special prizes.
Featured Demonstrations and Special Presentations
During the event, visitors could experience special demonstrations including last year’s winning “Pumpkin Seed Sorbet with Red Berries,” “Caramel Corn Ice Cream,” “Creamy Tiramisu Ice Cream with Extra Crunchy Coffee Crunch and Coffee-Milk Chocolate Variegato,” and the “Dobos Cake Revolution” – created in honor of the 140th anniversary of the Hungarian dobos cake.
Why This Matters for Tourists and Locals
- More Choices: Budapest and Hungary are now home to world-class gelato, with local shops offering everything from classic vanilla to daring new flavors
- Quality Guaranteed: Winning flavors and top shops are committed to using natural ingredients and traditional methods, ensuring every scoop is a memorable experience
- A Culinary Adventure: For visitors, sampling award-winning Hungarian ice cream is a must-do—whether you’re strolling by the Danube or exploring the city’s historic neighborhoods
Conclusion: Time to Indulge!
With Hungary’s ice cream artisans earning international acclaim and creating innovative flavors that blend tradition with creativity, there’s never been a better time to enjoy a scoop (or two) in Budapest. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, make it a point to seek out these award-winning flavors and experience the passion and craftsmanship that’s putting Hungarian gelato on the global map.
Ready to taste the best? Head to one of Budapest’s top gelato shops, ask for the latest competition-winning flavors, and enjoy a truly sweet side of Hungarian culture.
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