FORTES Ice Cream, a Swanage-based family business that opened its first creamery in 1926, has had a rather special centenary celebration, winning Best Chocolate Ice Cream at this year’s UK and Ireland Golden Scoop Awards.

Hosted by the Ice Cream Alliance, the UK and Ireland’s only trade show focused on ice cream, the awards crowned the nation’s best scoops.

The 100-year history of the Fortes family business, creating high-quality Italian gelato and sorbets, began in the early 1920s, when Alfonso Forte arrived from Casalattico, Lazio. He opened the first Forte’s Ice Creamery on Swanage seafront in 1926. Today, four generations later, the family continues to uphold the same passion for quality and authenticity.

All gelato and sorbets at Fortes are handcrafted on site using family recipes refined over decades, combined with modern techniques and flavour trends. The business chooses not to wholesale, allowing them to maintain the highest standards while giving the flexibility to innovate and experiment with new flavours exclusively in their Swanage gelateria.

Reflecting on the award, the team at Fortes said: “We’re thrilled to be recognised for our chocolate ice cream. Maintaining our family tradition while continuing to innovate has always been at the heart of what we do, and this award is a wonderful acknowledgement of that dedication.”

With more than 80 years of history, the Golden Scoop Awards remain one of the most respected events in the ice cream calendar. Known for its rigorous judging process, the competition celebrates the highest standards of quality, craftsmanship and innovation across the industry.

Fortes Ice Cream has won many awards over the years, including a top Great Taste Award in 2017 when the company was named Small Artisan Producer of the Year and Best Frozen Yogurt in the Ice Cream Alliance’s 2018 awards.

Ricky and Hannah Forte are pictured receiving their award.