The 2012 Flavor Faceoff is now complete. Thanks for voting! With 20 particpants representing four regions, we know our voters have their work cut out for them. (Good thing we're giving away voter prizes!) To help make the decision a little easier, we've asked our participants to tell you about themselves, their flavor and why you should help them to become the 2012 Flavor Faceoff Champion. Select a link below to get started. (Hint: Click "back to top" to jump back up to the menu.)
EAST COAST
Emily Yeiser, Penn State Berkey Creamery's Peachy Paterno
Q. Why did you select your flavor to represent in the 2012 Flavor Faceoff?
A: Peachy Paterno is named after Joe Paterno, one of the most well known football coaches of all time. It's a delicious ice cream named after a terrific man!
Q. Why do you think you and your flavor should be the Flavor Faceoff champion?
A: Not only does my ice cream tastes great, its name reminds us of a great man who left an unbelievable impact on the PSU family.
Q. What is your tie to the dairy industry?
A: I currently serve as the Dairy Initiatives Manager for the Center for Dairy Excellence in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Growing up I was actively involved with 4-H and working with my dairy animals.
Q. Besides the Flavor Faceoff, what is your favorite June Dairy Month activity?
A: I love having a month dedicated to promoting the industry I love... and having an excuse to eat as much ice cream as I want!
Will Gilmer, Mississippi State University's Muscadine Ripple
Q. Why did you select your flavor to represent in the 2012 Flavor Faceoff?
A: As an alumnus of Mississippi State, I wanted to highlight one of the unique ice cream flavors produced by the University.
Q. Why do you think you and your flavor should be the Flavor Faceoff champion?
A: Mississippi State's Muscadine Ripple ice cream provides just the right amount of muscadine sweetness without being overwhelming.
Q. What is your tie to the dairy industry?
A: I grew up on a dairy farm and returned home to it after graduating from Mississippi State University. I now own and operate the farm in partnership with my father.
Q. Besides the Flavor Faceoff, what is your favorite June Dairy Month activity?
A: Gilmer Dairy Farm's annual Milk Mustache Contest.
Kelsey Holter, Homemade Vanilla
Q. Why did you select your flavor to represent in the 2012 Flavor Faceoff?
A: The sweetness of vanilla combined with the simplicity of being homemade make this the perfect summer treat!
Q. Why do you think you and your flavor should be the Flavor Faceoff champion?
A: I think homemade vanilla ice cream should be the Flavor Faceoff Champion because it can be made in many different ways, by you! The different processes of making it, along with the ingredients, make this flavor very unique in itself!
Q. What is your tie to the dairy industry?
A: I grew up on a dairy farm in southeast Ohio, where my grandfather, uncle and father milk 170 registered Holsteins.
Q. Besides the Flavor Faceoff, what is your favorite June Dairy Month activity?
A: For June Dairy Month, I love being able to spread the word of dairy through social media such as Facebook and Twitter.
Carl Chaney, Wow Now Brownie Cow
Q. Why did you select your flavor to represent in the 2012 Flavor Faceoff?
A: We chose Wow Now Brownie Cow because it is one of our bestsellers. We made it for the Hospice Chocolate Lovers Festival and it's been a big hit there.
Q. Why do you think you and your flavor should be the Flavor Faceoff champion?
A: At the Dairy Barn we will make 40 flavors this year, and Wow Now Brownie Cow is one of our bestsellers. We love it when customers order it because you can't say Wow Now Brownie Cow without a smile on your face!
Q. What is your tie to the dairy industry?
A: We have been a Jersey Dairy Farm since 1940, and we are still milking cows after 72 years. In 2003 we opened an ice cream store on our dairy farm to help make ends meet during cyclical downturns. In 2011 we started marketing our own milk under the Chaney's Farm label.
Q. Besides the Flavor Faceoff, what is your favorite June Dairy Month activity?
A: We are celebrating Dairy Month with Miss Glimmer Appreciation Day where people can come to the Dairy Barn for a free scoop of ice cream all day long! We are also offering farm tours that day that include a trip to the farm to meet Miss Glimmer and a Jersey calf.
Ariel Waldeck, Blue Bell's Southern Blackberry Cobbler
Q. Why did you select your flavor to represent in the 2012 Flavor Faceoff?
A: I chose this ice cream because it has a vanilla base that has a swirl of blackberries and cobbler chunks. The blackberry is not overpowering, which is good for people who like fruit, but don’t love it in their ice cream. And who can go wrong with chunks of cobbler?
Q. Why do you think you and your flavor should be the Flavor Faceoff champion?
A: Vote for this ice cream because it puts southern cooking into ice cream. People will often serve cobbler with ice cream on top; Blue Bell just combined it all together.
Q. What is your tie to the dairy industry?
A: I have been showing Brown Swiss for ten years. Through showing I entered into a business with embryo transfer. Last summer I was an Editorial Intern with Progressive Dairyman, and this summer I am the Communications and Youth Programs Intern for Holstein Association USA. (Editor's note: click here to read more about Waldeck's internship with Progressive Dairyman.)
Q. Besides the Flavor Faceoff, what is your favorite June Dairy Month activity?
A: This summer I am living in Brattleboro, Vermont. The first weekend in June they had the annually Strolling of the Heifers Parade. I was able to walk a heifer down main street. This may not be an event that I participate in every year, but this year it was definitely one of my most memorable June Dairy Month experiences.
Brenda Hastings, Pierre’s Frosting on the Cake
Q. Why did you select your flavor to represent in the 2012 Flavor Faceoff?
A: I selected Pierre’s Frosting on the Cake because it's delicious and made locally in Cleveland, Ohio.
Q. Why do you think you and your flavor should be the Flavor Faceoff champion?
A: I love the dairy industry and have been part of it all my life. I start each day with a nutritious glass of milk and consume at least three servings of dairy everyday. The tasty ice cream I selected is cake batter with a chocolate frosting swirl. What's better than cake batter and chocolate?
Q. What is your tie to the dairy industry?
A: My husband, Lad, and I operate a dairy farm in Northeast Ohio (near Cleveland). We're 3rd generation dairy producers and value raising our family on the farm.
Q. Besides the Flavor Faceoff, what is your favorite June Dairy Month activity?
A: We really enjoy hosting visitors at our farm. During June, we offer four special events that are open to the public so people have the opportunity to watch the cows being milked, visit the freestall barn, pet the calves and have fun learning about dairy. Click here to visit our website.
Jodi Torock, Blue Bell's Banana Pudding
Q. Why did you select your flavor to represent in the 2012 Flavor Faceoff?
A: Banana Pudding is an All-American dessert. This ice cream packs in bananas, creamy and smooth vanilla ice cream which has picked up a hint of the banana flavor, crisp vanilla wafer chunks (a feat since they have been mixed with ice cream, but maintain their crispness and provide a nice texture contrast) and of course whipped cream swirls. No toppings necessary. This ice cream is the whole package.
I wish I could enjoy some right now! Unfortunately, Blue Bell doesn’t distribute to Eastern Pennsylvania (and I don’t have spare change to shell out to have Blue Bell mail me 4 half gallons) so I can only enjoy it when I return to my alma mater for a visit – Texas A&M University!
Q. Why do you think you and your flavor should be the Flavor Faceoff champion?
A: Blue Bell’s Banana Pudding deserves this award. Have you read the description above? Unless you’re adamantly against bananas or allergic to dairy, this ice cream is absolutely delicious!
Q. What is your tie to the dairy industry?
A: I grew up in western Pennsylvania surrounded by dairy farms and enjoyed feeding and naming all of the neighbors’ calves. This summer I’ll marry a former dairy farmer (unfortunately, they sold the cows a year after we started dating). He now crop farms in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and we raise out a handful of dairy steers. Working in Extension, I also have the opportunity to help beginning dairy farmers.
Q. Besides the Flavor Faceoff, what is your favorite June Dairy Month activity?
A: Going for ice cream at a small neighborhood shop on Sunday evenings after enjoying dinner on the porch.
MIDWEST
Ashley Messing, Chocolate
Q. Why did you select your flavor to represent in the 2012 Flavor Faceoff?
A: I chose Chocolate as my flavor because it has always been my favorite. Since I could eat ice cream I have adored chocolate, and it's so versatile, that is goes great with any topping!
Q. Why do you think you and your flavor should be the Flavor Faceoff champion?
A: I think my flavor should be champion because I don't know a person who doesn't like chocolate ice cream! It's creamy, it's tasty and you can put any topping with it and it's delicious! June is the perfect month to have chocolate ice cream because of all the fresh fruits available! Any one of them compliments chocolate perfectly.
Q. What is your tie to the dairy industry?
A: I am the third generation to take over my family's dairy farm in Michigan. We milk 250 Holstein and Jersey cows.
Q. Besides the Flavor Faceoff, what is your favorite June Dairy Month activity?
A: My favorite June is Dairy Month activity is going to a Michigan Breakfast on the Farm to volunteer!
Tim and Emily Zweber, Stonyfield Creme Caramel
Q. Why did you select your flavor to represent in the 2012 Flavor Faceoff?
A: Stonyfield uses Organic Valley milk, like the ones from our cows to make their delicious ice cream. Caramel is one of our favorite ice cream toppings (because it is made with butter).
Q. Why do you think you and your flavor should be the Flavor Faceoff champion?
A: Because you cannot beat caramel!! Chocolate and vanilla are sooo last year.
Q. What is your tie to the dairy industry?
A: Our family has been dairying on our farm since 1906. Today, our farm is owned by Jon, Lisa, Tim and Emily Zweber.
Q. Besides the Flavor Faceoff, what is your favorite June Dairy Month activity?
A: We love to wave at the county dairy princesses in our local parade. The princesses ride on a large float designed like a barn. The kids look forward to it every year. They also love the pencils and stickers they hand out.
Robin Rastani, Ben & Jerry's Red Velvet Cake
Q. Why did you select your flavor to represent in the 2012 Flavor Faceoff?
A: I loved participating in the Flavor Faceoff last year as a voter, so when the opportunity arose to enter a flavor, I jumped at the opportunity. Ben & Jerry’s Red Velvet Cake is unique and a flavor that I will drive to multiple stores until I find it.
Q. Why do you think you and your flavor should be the Flavor Faceoff champion?
A: It’s unique and creates a “party in your mouth” with different textures and flavors within the same bite. Truly, a lot of fun to eat.
Q. What is your tie to the dairy industry?
A: I am a dairy cow nutritionist with Novus International. I make sure cows eat a balanced diet, so they can produce high quality milk for dairy products (like ice cream).
Q. Besides the Flavor Faceoff, what is your favorite June Dairy Month activity?
A: Events to help make consumers more aware of dairy cows, dairy farms and nutritious dairy products, like Cows on the Concourse in Madison, Wisconsin, and Breakfast on the Farm in counties across the Midwest.
Liz Kelsay, Chocolate Peanut Butter
Q. Why did you select your flavor to represent in the 2012 Flavor Faceoff?
A: Chocolate Peanut Butter ice cream is my all time favorite ice cream because it has the perfect combination of two of my favorite things!
Q. Why do you think you and your flavor should be the Flavor Faceoff champion?
A: Last year my friend and fellow Indiana dairy farmer Leontien won the contest so it would be great for Indiana to have a repeat! (Editor's note: Click here to learn more about the 2011 Flavor Faceoff winner, Leontien VandeLaar.)
Q. What is your tie to the dairy industry?
A: My husband and I are part of the 6th generation on our family dairy farm just south of Indianapolis where we milk 500 Holsteins. My sister-in-law Amy and I blog at Two Maids a Milking where we share about life on the farm, recipes and promote farm tours. (Editor's note: Click here to learn more about tours at Kelsay Farms.)
Q. Besides the Flavor Faceoff, what is your favorite June Dairy Month activity?
A: This year we had our local TV station out for a morning on the farm where the feature reporter feed a baby calf, milked a cow and learned about what we feed our cows!
Casey Hushon, Sassy Cow Creamery's Birthday Cake
Q. Why did you select your flavor to represent in the 2012 Flavor Faceoff?
A: The ice cream speaks for itself... it's delicious and truly is a "party" in your mouth. Cake batter ice cream joined with sprinkles and chocolate... it's wonderful. I became familiar with Sassy Cow when my friend became the marketing manager when they opened their doors in 2008. Ice cream is only one of the tasty dairy products they offer.
Q. Why do you think you and your flavor should be the Flavor Faceoff champion?
A: It's not necessarily about the one flavor of ice cream I really enjoy, but the story of Sassy Cow that makes them the Champion in my book. The Baerwolf family started the business in 2008 as a local dairy option for Madison and Milwaukee-based families, and continues to educate consumers about the dairy Industry and where dairy products come from.
Plus, the Sassy Cow products are award winners. Two of their ice cream flavors recently won awards in the 2011-2012 World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest.
Q. What is your tie to the dairy industry?
A: I work in Public Relations for Charleston|Orwig, an agriculture marketing communications agency in Wisconsin.
Q. Besides the Flavor Faceoff, what is your favorite June Dairy Month activity?
A: Cows on the Concourse in Madison, where the dairy industry meets consumers at the Capitol.
NORTHWEST
Chris Avelar, Vanilla
Q. Why did you select your flavor to represent in the 2012 Flavor Faceoff?
A: I chose vanilla because it's a proven favorite. It's consistently the top selling flavor across the U.S.
Q. Why do you think you and your flavor should be the Flavor Faceoff champion?
A: The great thing about vanilla is that it's great with toppings — strawberries, chocolate sauce, sprinkles, you name it — but it's also great all on its own. Plus, could you imagine a root beer float without vanilla ice cream?! As a dairy producer, I'm proud to be part of the process of making the milk that turns into delicious ice cream.
Q. What is your tie to the dairy industry?
A: I farm with my father, grandfather and uncle on a dairy in Buhl, Idaho, where we milk about 1,000 cows.
Q. Besides the Flavor Faceoff, what is your favorite June Dairy Month activity?
A: There's a local celebration called Wendell Dairy Days. It's a three-day event and has a parade.
Dale Moore, Ferdinand's Ice Cream Shoppe's Huckleberry
Q. Why did you select your flavor to represent in the 2012 Flavor Faceoff?
A: Ferdinand’s Ice Cream is the best in the Northwest, and Huckleberry represents the Northwest like no other flavor.
Q. Why do you think you and your flavor should be the Flavor Faceoff champion?
A: Because we are Cougars! And because the milk for Ferdinand’s Ice Cream comes from our very own campus dairy – Knott’s Dairy – with some of the friendliest cows you’ll meet.
Q. What is your tie to the dairy industry?
A: I started milking cows to gain more experience for vet school and fell in love with them and the industry. I became a dairy vet and eventually an Extension Veterinarian where I get to do applied research, work with producers, dairy employees, veterinarians and students.
Q. Besides the Flavor Faceoff, what is your favorite June Dairy Month activity?
A: It’s all about the ice cream!
Karma Fitzgerald, Reed Dairy's Moo Tracks
Q. Why did you select your flavor to represent in the 2012 Flavor Faceoff?
A: I have a love and appreciation for Idaho dairy families and wanted to find an Idaho flavor to represent this region. I stopped by Reeds Dairy after hearing good things about them for years. I wasn't disappointed! I loved Moo Tracks and want the whole country to know it!
Q. Why do you think you and your flavor should be the Flavor Faceoff champion?
A: Because we both represent different, but equally important elements of the dairy industry. My family's dairy is large and our milk is sold to an even larger cheese company. We rarely get to interact with our consumers directly, but take pride in sending high quality milk to the plant for the best possible product. Reeds Dairy works with and sees their consumers directly every day and goes of its way to make that experience positive and educational. For the industry to flourish, we need both sizes and types of farms to support and encourage each other.
Q. What is your tie to the dairy industry?
A: My husband is co-owner of 4-Bros Dairy in Shoshone, Idaho. Although I am not active in the dairy's day-to-day activities, I'm passionate about promoting not only our dairy but the industry as a whole.
Q. Besides the Flavor Faceoff, what is your favorite June Dairy Month activity?
A: I love walking in and finding milk on ice or cheese ready to snack on while doing business at the bank or farm store.
Pam Lowder, Cloverleaf Creamery's Cowboy Crunch
Q. Why did you select your flavor to represent in the 2012 Flavor Faceoff?
A: Cowboy Crunch is the best. It has butter pecan base with crushed heath bar, caramel and fudge ribbon.
Q. Why do you think you and your flavor should be the Flavor Faceoff champion?
A: Cowboy Crunch from Clover Leaf Creamery comes from a small creamery in Buhl, a small town in southwest Idaho. The owners Bill and Donna Stoltzfus, their family and staff really care about putting out the best product they can for our community.
Q. What is your tie to the dairy industry?
A: My nephew is involved in the dairy business with his in-laws. My grandfather had a dairy until his passing in 1992. I have fond memories of helping him in the barn and feeding the baby calves. He had names for all his cows, and some of them were named after his grandkids.
Q. Besides the Flavor Faceoff, what is your favorite June Dairy Month activity?
A: Eating ice cream! I don’t just do that in June, I eat ice cream all year long.
SOUTHWEST
Johanna Fischer, Salted Caramel
Q. Why did you select your flavor to represent in the 2012 Flavor Faceoff?
A: It is absolutely delicious and locally made.
Q. Why do you think you and your flavor should be the Flavor Faceoff champion?
A: As much as I enjoy store brands, this one is fresh homemade without all the extra "stuff" you may find in many store brands.
Q. What is your tie to the dairy industry?
A: I am a dairy owner/operator, of 2800+ cows, in the Central Valley of California. I am a wife and mother who LOVES dairy!
Q. Besides the Flavor Faceoff, what is your favorite June Dairy Month activity?
A: Partaking of dairy products, of course! Ice cream, cheese, milk, etc.. and sharing dairy month with others!
Susan Vander Schaaf, Sunnyside Farms' Moose Tracks
Q. Why did you select your flavor to represent in the 2012 Flavor Faceoff?
A: Sunnyside Farms Denali "Original" Moose Tracks is a family favorite because it offers a fantastic blend of chocolate flavors on top of the perfect dessert, vanilla ice cream. They start off with a Creamy Churn Style Vanilla ice cream and add mini Peanut Butter cups swirled with famous "Moose Tracks" Fudge. It takes vanilla ice cream to a whole new level.
Q. Why do you think you and your flavor should be the Flavor Faceoff champion?
A: Sunnyside Farms Moose Tracks is true deliciousness, combining vanilla ice cream, mini peanut butter cups, and real chocolate "Moose Tracks" fudge in one carton. As I've shared "Moose Tracks" ice cream with many teenagers, friends and family, I can tell you from experience once you've tasted this terrific ice cream flavor, you will be convinced it is sure to succeed as the favorite among family and guests as a rewarding ice cream treat.
Q. What is your tie to the dairy industry?
A: My husband and I, both 3rd generation dairy farmers, hope to give our children the same opportunities of hard work, ownership and the ability to raise their children on a family dairy farm. We are grateful for the heritage we have been given and consider it a blessing to continue on in the dairy industry.
Q. Besides the Flavor Faceoff, what is your favorite June Dairy Month activity?
A: Another favorite June Dairy Month activity is promoting dairy products and recipes via Facebook and Twitter, especially during June Dairy Month. This month is also good motivation to get my dairy blog "A Dairy Good Thing" updated.
Dario Martinez, Blue Bell's Strawberries and Homemade Vanilla
Q. Why did you select your flavor to represent in the 2012 Flavor Faceoff?
A: Ever since I was a kid, I always associated two food items with summertime: Ice cream and strawberries. Then, when I first tasted Blue Bell's Strawberries and Homemade Vanilla ice cream, I knew someone had made the perfect ice cream mix (one less decision for me to make when standing in front of the ice cream cooler at the grocery store).
Q. Why do you think you and your flavor should be the Flavor Faceoff champion?
A: The flavor I have chosen is simple, yet at the same time great because it combines two amazing ingredients – strawberries and homemade vanilla ice cream! Although the ingredients are simple, Blue Bell's Strawberries and Homemade Vanilla is anything but ordinary.
Q. What is your tie to the dairy industry?
A: I've been around the dairy industry most of my life. It wasn't until high school that I actually worked on a dairy. Now, I'm an editor for Progressive Dairyman magazine where I spend my time writing and helping promote the industry.
Q. Besides the Flavor Faceoff, what is your favorite June Dairy Month activity?
A: I really enjoy how our company provides dairy treats for all of its employees throughout June to celebrate Dairy Month.
Leslie Lowey, Braum's Strawberry Cheesecake
Q. Why did you select your flavor to represent in the 2012 Flavor Faceoff?
A: I love Braum's Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream! They don't have it very often so it's always a wonderful, rare suprise to get to enjoy it! Also, for years I lived away from Texas and I REALLY couldn't get it very often. Really made me want it more!
Q. Why do you think you and your flavor should be the Flavor Faceoff champion?
A: It's fun! And who doesn't love cheesecake, let alone strawberry cheesecake, and ice cream together. Double Dairy Decadence!
Q. What is your tie to the dairy industry?
A: My only ties to the dairy industry is a dear college friend who owns and operates a dairy in New Mexico, going to college at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, the heart of Texas dairy country and just plain ole lovin' dairy products as a consumer. I mean seriously ... who doesn't love ice cream!
Q. Besides the Flavor Faceoff, what is your favorite June Dairy Month activity?
A: June is always hot and there's nothing like cooling off with some yummy ice cream!!! So many delicious flavors to choose from! PD
