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Press and Journal
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Why this Aberdeen beach cafe switched to homemade gelato
Paul Dawson swapped life in the fairground for running Pavilion café on Aberdeen beach nine years ago. Paul spent 17 years operating 'kiddie rides' at the city's fairground, his father running a prize bingo. And after making the switch to the food and drink scene, he was keen to bring something unique to his Pavilion café. The idea came to him in the form of homemade gelato. 'I wanted to bring a more passionate presence into the place,' he says. 'And the only way to do that is by making your own.' The name 'Buzz Gelato', says Paul, is a reference to the 'vibration of positivity' he hopes the dessert transfers to his customers. Paul, accompanied by chief gelato maker Maciek Ciechanowicz, visits Italy every year for inspiration, trying out different flavours of gelato. Some cafes across the city source their ice cream from local suppliers, such as Rizza's of Huntly or Forest Farm Dairy, while some others offer the classic Mr Whippy. But Paul was keen to make his own onsite. He says: 'I love bringing unique colours and flavours of gelato to our customers. 'I think what sets us apart from other places is that we make a handmade product in house, and we don't have to depend on suppliers.' The team also offer low sugar gelato for dogs, made with peanut butter and banana, which has been 'massive,' says Paul. 'I work at the windows, and I really enjoy that. 'Pets are the same as the people – you build up relationships with them. And then the dogs get to know you. 'It's a lot of fun, because there are a lot of dogs along the beach front.' There are a range of quirky and more traditional flavours of gelato on offer at Pavilion café, including orange and mandarin and blueberry cheesecake, plus sorbet. The café also offers 'The Don' gelato, an ode to Aberdeen Football Club. But Paul says he isn't one to follow trends. 'Because we're making flavours that are unique to ourselves, we've built up a following of people that come in to try our new ones,' he adds. 'Dubai chocolate has been trending, right? But we don't really want to be following the trends. We want to do flavours that are unique to us.' Pavilion café team member Maciek Ciechanowicz is the chief gelato maker at the beachfront café. He utilises an ice cream machine, pasteuriser and blast freezer to bring the gelato and sorbet to life. Using ingredients sourced from Italy, they tell me, they mix this with the base mix (pasteurised milk, double cream, sugar and dextrose). To fill the pasteuriser – which has a 60 litre capacity – Maciek needs to use 39 litres of milk, nine litres of double cream, 7.5 kilos of sugar and one kilo of dextrose. During busy weeks, he can make as much as 300 litres of gelato. The pasteurising process takes around an hour and a half, and then it takes half an hour in the ice cream machine. Using the blast freezer, the ice cream is quickly lowered in just ten minutes to a temperature of -35 degrees to give it the right texture. 'I get a lot of pride when customers tell me they're happy,' says Maciek. 'That feels great.'
Press and Journal
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
5 great places to go for an ice cream in Aberdeen
We all love ice cream, and in Aberdeen there are some amazing places to enjoy a cone or a couple of scoops. Whether you are out for a stroll with your family and friends, or you just want a sweet treat to brighten your day, we've compiled a list of some must-visit ice cream shops, cafes and parlours in Aberdeen. The only thing left to think about is what flavour to choose, oh and let's not be stingy with the toppings! If you are in the beach area then an ice cream is a must! Pavilion Café on the Esplanade has been making their own gelato for the last four years. What's not to love about that?! Cafe owner Paul Dawson is passionate about their homemade Buzz Gelato. Gelato maker Maciek Ciechanowicz creates the gelato at the back of the café. Flavours of gelato on offer include blueberry cheesecake, bubble-gum and orange and mandarin. They also create seasonal specials such as creme egg gelato – yum! Address: 5-6 Esplanade, Aberdeen AB24 5NS Made with milk from their farm which is 19.2 miles away from the Marischal Square-based ice cream parlour in Aberdeen, Mackie's 19.2 offers a whole range of flavours for customers to indulge in. The firm has often introduced more unique flavours such as Christmas tree pine needle and a jam and scone option, which was available to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Whether you love traditional vanilla or flavours such as honeycomb or butterscotch, there will be something on the menu for you. There's also a range of toppings and sauces to add, too. Address: 7 Marischal Square, Broad Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1BL If you are out and about with your family, it's the perfect opportunity to stop by Crema for an ice cream in Aberdeen. Crema has two venues, one in the Bridge of Don, and the other in Woodend. Flavours such as double cream vanilla, Scottish tablet, Nutella, Kinder Bueno and much more were available in the Bridge of Don branch when we stopped by. Prices start at £2.95 for a single scoop tub, and £2.20 for a teddy cone. Addresses: 6 Scotstown Road, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen AB23 8HS 109 Rousay Drive, Aberdeen AB15 6LT There are so many ice cream flavours to pick from at this award-winning family firm – including the newly introduced na-na special – consisting of banana, sticky toffee pudding and crushed pecans. Ice cream prices start from £3.75 for one large scoop. There's also a range of milkshakes and sundaes on the menu too. Address: 60 Rosemount Place, Aberdeen, United Kingdom, AB25 2XJ This popular dessert parlour has two branches in Aberdeen. However, the award-winning venue also has outlets in Ellon, as well as Inverness. Last year the business took first prize in the desserts category at the Deliveroo annual restaurant awards. There's plenty of deliciousness on the menu here. Ice cream cones start from £2.20 while tubs start at £2.75 for one scoop. There's plenty of sauces and toppings to select from too. And if you like sundaes you will be spoiled for choice as there's flavours such as banoffee and chocolate fudge to enjoy. Addresses: 149 Spital, Aberdeen, United Kingdom, AB24 3HX 441 Great Northern Road, Woodside, Aberdeen AB24 2EH
