A LEADING North East ice cream company has stepped back in time to create a new flavour for the first South Tyneside Restaurant Week.
The team at Minchella’s have used historic events in South Shields’ past as the inspiration for its latest creation.
And now the salted caramel ice cream will be available to buy – but only for the duration of Restaurant Week.
Joe Minchella created the new flavour after discovering that salt panning took place in the town centuries ago, with people regularly boiling up sea water to extract the salt.
“We wanted to create something that would have some relevant link to the area,” he said.
“And after we’d done some research we discovered the stories about the salt industry so it seemed a perfect fit.”
Minchella’s are one of scores of venues who are taking part in South Tyneside Restaurant Week, all offering discounts, deal and special offers.
Along with the limited edition ice cream – which is available at Minchella’s cafes at Sea Road and Ocean Road- the company is offering half price hot drinks when an ice cream sundae is purchased.
Visitors to the cafes can also buy the ice cream to take home with them and Minchella’s are making it available to other restaurants who might want to serve it.
Any restaurant interested in the ice cream is asked to contact the company at info@minchella.co.uk
South Tyneside Restaurant Week has been created by South Tyneside Council to help boost tourism in the borough and showcase the range of eateries the area has to offer.
Restaurants and cafes in Jarrow, Hebburn, Boldon and South Shields are all taking part, giving visitors and local residents a huge selection of offers to choose from.
“I think it’s a brilliant initiative,” said Joe.
“We’ve got lots of fantastic restaurants in the area and it gives people a real opportunity to sample what’s available.”
Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council, with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said he was “delighted” to have Minchella’s on board. He said: “Their ice cream is known far and wide and they are an extremely well respected company. It is very exciting that there is a special ice cream flavour available just for our Restaurant Week and we are sure people will come and enjoy it.”
For more information and a full list of other venues taking part in the initiative, visitwww.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk, search South Tyneside Events on Facebook, or follow STynesideEvents on Twitter.
Restaurants who want to sign up are being asked to contact South Tyneside Council on 0191 4247971.
Further details can also be found by calling the South Tyneside Visitor Information Centre on 0191 424 7788.