No doubt about it, this flavor is a winner

 

 

 

BRENHAM - Blue Bell can't take credit for its newest flavor, Southern Hospitality Ice Cream. After you enjoy your first bite, thank South Carolina resident Jane Hegley, the creator of this winning entry in last year's Taste of the Country Flavor Contest.

Southern Hospitality Ice Cream is Homemade Vanilla with chunks of pineapples, roasted pecans and a strawberry sauce swirl.

In honor of the company's 100th anniversary in 2007, Blue Bell fans in the 17 states where its products are sold were given the opportunity to submit ice cream names that represented their state’s traditions and a description of what the flavor would contain. A winner was named from each state and Hegley's captured the grand prize.

Hegley received a trip to the company's 100th anniversary party last summer in Brenham, Texas, where the company is headquartered. And perhaps the most exciting part, was to have the flavor manufactured in half gallons by the number three branded ice cream maker in the U.S. "With the contest we were mainly looking for a name," said Carl Breed, director of marketing. "Contestants were able to describe their flavor, but we had the final say on the ingredients. Not only did we love Mrs. Hegley's flavor name, but her ingredients were just perfect."

The flavorful ingredients in Southern Hospitality were inspired by Hegley's surroundings. She incorporated the pineapple because it is a symbol of hospitality that appears as an architectural and design feature in Charleston’s beautiful antebellum homes. The roasted pecans represent the South and the strawberry sauce swirl was added for a touch of color.

Residents of Charleston, S.C. were the first to receive the flavor in half gallons in early April. Shortly thereafter, the flavor was made available to the rest of South Carolina. "This is our way of saying thank you to Mrs. Hegley," Breed said. "The city of Charleston and the state of South Carolina both played an important part in creating the ice cream. We couldn't think of a better place to debut the flavor."

As an added bonus, a photo of Hegley and a brief message from her appear on the carton. "I have enjoyed this whole experience so much," Hegley said. "I hope everyone tries the flavor."

Southern Hospitality is now available in stores where Blue Bell is sold.