Ice cream competition
A culinary whizz from the University of Sheffield, smashed world records at the Sheffield Food Festival (Sunday 6 June 2010) by whipping-up a litre of ice cream in 10.34 seconds.Using full fat milk, sugar, vanilla flavouring and liquid nitrogen (-198oC), Andrew Ross, a PhD student from the University’s Department of Chemistry, had made the dairy treat before hungry spectators even had the chance to pick up their scoops.
The Guinness World Record attempt took place at the Our Cow Molly Farm, in Dungworth during the local producer’s market and marks the second time someone from the University has held the title.
In 2002, Professor Tony Ryan OBE, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Science at the University, set the record in the city. He held it until 2005 when Peter Barham made one litre of ice cream in 18.78 seconds at the Hinds Head Hotel, Bray, Maidenhead, Berkshire.
Sunday’s attempt was watched by Sheffield Council leader Councillor Paul Scriven and Lord Mayor of Sheffield Alan Law, and adjudicated by Chef Chris Hawkins from City College Sheffield. Two time keepers kept their eyes on the clock, with the time starting as soon as the ingredients were poured into the bowl.
After this, it was a race against time for Andrew to quickly stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until it formed a solid ice cream.
The record breaking attempt was inspired following a series of ice cream lectures Andrew was involved in at the University’s Department of Chemistry, designed for local Year 8 school children and sponsored by Our Cow Molly. The lectures, aimed at making science fun, featured ice cream making demonstrations and it was these that prompted Our Cow Molly to suggest Andrew have a go at an official record breaking attempt.
Andrew Ross, PhD student, University of Sheffield Chemistry Department said: “It’s been a fantastic day and I’m glad to bring the record back to Sheffield. It has taken me a lot of practice and I’m so happy it has paid off, and a big thank you to those people who had to suffer through eating all the ice cream during practices. I think I should now get back to the day job and finish my PhD in chemistry, so I don’t think I’ll be trying to beat my record again anytime soon.”
Eddie Andrew, Our Cow Molly said: “We have a fantastic Department of Chemistry at the University of Sheffield and they do a great job inspiring young people in to study chemistry after leaving school. Our ice cream recipe is quite radical and wouldn't have been possible without skilled chemists.”
