On Wednesday, March 27th, UCD Students’ Union will attempt to set a Guinness World Record: The most amount of hand-rolled ice cream (i-Tim-pad) in 24 hours. This time last year, Campaigns and Communications Officer Tom Monaghan was campaigning to be elected and among his manifesto promises was a collaboration event with Ice-cream company Arctic Stone. His manifesto promised ‘to bring Ireland’s first hand-rolled Ice Cream to Belfield Campus’, now after thorough preparation and the added enticement of setting a Guinness World Record, this promise is going to be fulfilled.
The basic appeal of this event to students is free ice-cream (dairy-free and Gluten-free options will be available), but, in reality, it involves much more than just handing out cups. The Tribune contacted the SU Press Office to get information on the logistics of running an event of this scale; one that requires food preparation facilities, distribution volunteers, a 24-hour venue, all with the aim of setting a world record. (There’s even an Official Guinness World Records Adjudicator flying in from the UK to adjudicate on the world record attempt.)
‘Tom is taking the Sabbatical Officer lead on this event and he is supported by our entire sabbatical team and staff professionals. There is also a large team of volunteers signed up to various roles for the event who will all be integral to the success of the record. Caolan, the founder of Arctic Stone, came up with the concept and will lead a team of professional ice cream rollers on the day.’
This kind of ice-cream is made on a ‘cold plate’ at -30 degrees and scrapped off into rolls. It originated in Thailand as street food around 2009, being called I-Tim-Pad or ‘Stir-fried Ice Cream’. Arctic Stone is a Blackrock based company, that was the first to bring this custom hand-rolled ice-cream to Ireland.
The event will fun from Wednesday, March 27th from 10 am to 10 am the next morning. The old Student Centre will remain open all night and Arctic Stone employees will continue to roll ice-cream throughout the night, ‘There will be movie marathons and game sessions played to entertain those present throughout the night.’
The primary feature of the event, though, is setting the world record, by making an immense 40,000 ice cream rolls. Though that doesn’t equate to 40,000 ice creams, rather 8,000 ice creams cups with at 5 rolls per cup. Still, it’s a colossal amount of ice-cream to store, make and distribute.
For all food-related challenges, those attempting must submit a food waste prevention plan to the Guinness World Record board for pre-approval, as the SU and Arctic Stone have done. ‘The aim is that the majority of ice cream is eaten immediately during the day… Volunteers will be carrying trays of ice cream around campus to students and we will have events running throughout the 24 hours where the ice cream will be available. What isn’t eaten immediately will be stored in freezers on site for consumption the following day and brought back to Arctic Stone. The liquid ice cream will be appropriately stored in insulated Basta Boxes which are designed to keep produce fresh and at the appropriate temperature. We will also have refrigeration on site.’
There are, of course, other environmental concerns, such as waste other than food. Arctic Stone uses 100% compostable packaging and ‘UCDSU will be ensuring that all waste disposed of in designated bins in the Student Centre will be disposed of properly to compost.’
Aside from the impressive achievement that setting a world record would be, the other purpose of the event is to raise money for charity. ‘UCDSU is not paying Arctic Stone for the event. As the event is co-organised, the costs are being divided between UCDSU and Arctic Stone. Due to the nature of the event, Arctic Stone will be contributing a larger element towards the budget. The budgeted spend on the event from UCDSU’s side is circa €5000, covering costs such as promotional material, professional services, refreshments for volunteers etc. We will aim as far as possible to cover these costs with sponsorship and activations which will be brought in on the day. The event is being run on a not for profit basis, with all proceeds from donations going directly to our charity partners.’ The chosen charities are the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and the Peter McVerry Trust. ‘There will be student volunteers bucket collecting for the 24 hours at the ice cream collection points so students and the public can donate as they get their ice cream.
As a concept, this event is spectacular; promoting and supporting local business, while also creating an event that allows the entire student body to participate, and now, after hearing the logistical details of the event planning, Tom’s manifesto promise is set to become a successful reality.
By Muireann O’Shea – CoEditor
