The team from 401! Creative took championship honors at the Da Vinci Science Center’s Ice Cream Wars 6.0 competition on Saturday, topping the largest field in the event’s history and notching its second championship in three years.
A total of nine teams representing Da Vinci Science Center partner companies battled for liquid nitrogen ice cream supremacy as they served batches of their creative flavors to visitors, who voted for their favorites. The team from 401! Creative earned the right to keep the Ice Cream Wars Championship Trophy and hold bragging rights for the following year.
ATAS International, Inc., finished as runner-up and Just Born finished in third place. Earning Tasteful Mention prizes were Avantor Performance Materials, B. Braun, The Morning Call Media Group, defending champion PPL Corporation, and WFMZ 69 News.
Find out what's happening in Emmauswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The 401! Creative team captured the crown with its recipe – consisting of mini chocolate chips, bite-sized waffles, maple syrup, and strawberries. All Ice Cream Wars recipes had a vanilla base provided by the Da Vinci Science Center consisting of sugar, dairy products, and vanilla extract.
Ice Cream Wars is a sweet chemistry lesson for visitors. The liquid nitrogen, which stands at negative 320 degrees Fahrenheit, chills the ice cream ingredient mixes immediately while it warms and evaporates rapidly. The resulting creamy treats are safe to eat in approximately five minutes. Each Ice Cream Wars team worked with a coach from the Da Vinci Science Center staff in advance of the competition. Some teams began preparing in Oct. 2013.
Find out what's happening in Emmauswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Along with serving up their ice cream delights, the teams decorated their stations, distributed gifts, dressed colorfully, brought along mascots and props, and cheered enthusiastically throughout the competition. Judges’ Awards also are given for spirit, creativity, and other fun attributes.
The Ice Cream Wars 6.0 Judges’ Awards were as follows:
Best Team Spirit: ATAS International
Best Theme: WFMZ 69 News
Best Use of Social Media: WFMZ 69 News
Best Team Nickname: Just Born Party PEEPle!
Best Use of Props: Just Born
Best Costumes: The Morning Call Media Group
Outstanding Performance by a Team Coach (from Da Vinci Science Center staff): Jeremy Graver for The Morning Call Media Group
Most Unique Recipe: B. Braun Sarsaparilla Sizzle
Most Educational Presentation: Avantor Performance Materials
Best Team Logo: 401! Creative
Best Recipe Name: PPL, Buzzinga Berry!
Outstanding Teamwork: PPL Corporation
Best Sportsmanship: LSI Corporation
WFMZ 69 News Reporter Will Lewis served as Ice Cream Wars 6.0 Host. All visitors received spoons courtesy of Tasting Spoonsor Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt. Ice Cream Wars 6.0 also was supported in part by Air Products, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Wagner Trophies and Awards,Walmart, and Weis Markets.
This was the third year that the Da Vinci Science Center presented the Ice Cream Wars competition with an all-corporate format. PPL Corporation took top honors last year, and 401! Creative won Ice Cream Wars 4.0. The first three competitions involved teams of Da Vinci Science Center staff members and a few corporate teams.
Ice Cream Wars 6.0 also was presented as a public program for the Da Vinci Science Center’s Year of Innovation. The Da Vinci Science Center’s Year of Innovation, which continues through Sept. 2014, highlights careers in all scientific and technical fields and inspire tomorrow’s professionals to embrace the qualities that drive innovation – including creativity, collaboration, process skills, and problem-solving abilities. All Year of Innovation Public Programs are presented by Avantor Performance Materials.