It’s been a yearlong celebration around the city as the Orlando Sentinel marks its 150th birthday with community forums, historical exhibits, themed events … and delicious ones.
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And the current local partnership with Orlando’s oldest bakery is one that journalism fans from 2 to 102 can enjoy: ice cream.
When owners John and Tricia Hage bought Charlie’s Bakery & Creamery several years ago, they added ice cream to the mix of beautiful baked goods that Orlandoans have been enjoying for decades. For this special occasion, they came up with five Florida-inspired flavors for customers to taste-test, then vote on the one that will be available as a pint for a limited time afterward.
“A family can go into the store, sample each flavor, discuss their fave, and then each person can cast their vote by dropping the card into the voting box,” says Orlando Sentinel advertising coordinator LeAnne Rollins.
“It could even inspire a fun family/friends debate. And just the word ‘vote’ seems to be a hot topic right now.”
On the heels of the Sentinel’s partnerships with local beer pros Ten10 Brewing, where two of four quarterly Sentinel-inspired brews have already dropped, along with the special anniversary whiskey from Winter Park’s Forward/Slash Distillery, a journalism-prompted treat for all ages to enjoy seemed a natural next step.
The Florida tie-ins make for fun flavor mixes.
These include Orange Blossom Honey (orange blossom honey ice cream infused with the delicate floral sweetness of Florida orange blossoms), Orange County Creamsicle (orange-flavored ice cream swirled with creamy vanilla for a nostalgic creamsicle-inspired treat), The City Beautiful (rich chocolate ice cream loaded with colorful mini M&M’s and chunks of Charlie’s own brownies and milk chocolate chip cookies), Sunshine State (refreshing lemon ice cream swirled with a sweet strawberry variegate and Gator Tail (salted caramel ice cream loaded with praline pecans and swirled with rich chocolate fudge).
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“The winning flavor, to be named Sentinel’s 150th SCOOP, will be announced at the Sentinel’s ‘Politics in Orlando’ event on Aug. 17 (eventbrite.com/e/orlando-sentinels-150th-anniversary-politics-in-orlando-tickets-1994754459285) at the Timucua Arts Foundation,” says Rollins. “Those interested will be able to purchase pints of the winning flavor at the store, as well as Ten 10 Brewing and Forward/Slash Distillery.”
What’s more: one winner, picked from among those who voted, will be invited back to Charlie’s to help make the winning flavor’s first batch and take home a pre-release pint, along with a Charlie’s T-shirt.
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“Charlie’s will be serving free ice cream via their cart at the event, too,” she notes. “Keeping politics cool.”
Guests can sample each flavor at Charlie’s Bakery & Creamery during the voting period, which runs through Aug. 10, then vote for their favorites. Flavors will be available for tastings only during this time. They will not be available for purchase.
Charlie’s Bakery & Creamery is located at 3213 Curry Ford Road in Orlando, 407-898-9561; charliesbakery.com.
Find me on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: [email protected], For more foodie fun, join the Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.
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