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Family-run business named best ice cream shop in South West
A family-run business has been crowned “Best Ice Cream Shop” in the South West.
Panunzio’s Kitchen Gelati Italiani, founded by Daniele Panunzio, picked up the accolade to round off a bumper year that also saw them compete at the European Gelato Masters and retain their title as Bristol’s best dessert shop for the second year running.
The accolade, awarded by Prestige Awards, recognises standout small and medium-sized businesses based on their performance over the past 12 months.
The shortlisted companies are asked to submit evidence such as client reviews, past accreditations and examples of their strongest work. A judging panel then assesses each entrant on service excellence, product quality, innovation and sustainable practices.
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“It’s a fantastic recognition of all the hard work and dedication we put in day after day,” said Daniele Panunzio.
The year could have been even sweeter for Panunzio’s if it weren’t for a travel fiasco that derailed their attempt to qualify for the World Gelato Masters championship in 2026.
Travelling with ingredients, equipment along with his son, Daniele found himself at odds with the airport staff over the luggage contents, triggering a string of delays — a four-hour coach trip to Heathrow, a diversion to Luton, and finally a delayed flight to Rome.
By the time he arrived in Rome at 4am, he had barely slept before catching a 7am train to Bologna.
When he finally reached the competition at the Carpigiani Gelato University, both he and the gelato mix were “beyond tired”, he said.
Founded in 2022 on Cotham Hill, Panunzio’s has firmly established itself as a staple in Bristol’s food and drink scene
When the results were announced, Daniele scanned the list from the bottom up — only to find his name in third place, missing out on the World Masters by just 0.5 of a point, by the barest of margins.
The result still made him the highest-ranked competitor from the UK.
“But despite all the tiredness and stress, I still managed to come first among all the UK competitors, which placed me as UK Champion and third in my group at the European finals,” said Daniele.
“It’s still an amazing achievement… even if the travel hiccup impacted my performance. Honestly, I believe I could have won if everything had gone smoothly.”
The World Masters cycle runs roughly every three years, and Daniele is already experimenting with new flavours as he prepares for the next Masters campaign.
Panunzio’s finished a bumper year with another award which named them as “The Best Ice Cream Shop” in the South West
Daniele and his wife, Thary, run Panunzio’s on Cotham Hill — an area Time Out recently ranked among the UK’s “coolest”.
All photos: Milan Perera
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