Residents are the big winners in local ice cream challenge

By Jamie Strickland

For the third time, local ice cream artisans have competed against each other to see who makes the best flavors.

This time, the showdown was over red velvet ice cream and was held last month at Sisters II Ice Cream in Benson. Competing for the trophy were Sisters II, Old Fashioned Ice Cream of Selma and Lumpy’s Ice Cream from Wake Forest.

People of all ages and from all edges of Johnston and Wake Counties came out to sample and vote for their favorite.

“It’s a friendly competition and it just makes all of us better,” said Michael Sneed, who took the Red Velvet Trophy to Selma in this challenge. “It keeps me on my toes and makes me elevate my game,” he said.

Sneed’s red velvet ice cream was highlighted with chunks of red velvet cookies, and Davis’ version had a sweet cream cheese frosting ribbon running through it.

Buck Buchanan of Lumpy’s Ice Cream said his red velvet flavor wasn’t as bright red, because he uses no dyes or artificial flavors in his blends.

He said he tried to stay true to the original, old time red velvet cake recipe where cocoa was the predominant taste.

Sneed won the first challenge where butter pecan was the flavor of the day, and Deborah and Jim Davis of Sister’s II won the second time last fall with their sweet potato ice cream.

All three shops offer classic flavors plus some with unique twists that rotate seasonally.

Who are the real winners?

The residents of Johnston County, who get to enjoy the delicious fruits of their labor.