TisF Finds Fabulous Splendor at Jeni's.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams is an artisan producer of fine ice creams, fresh frozen yogurts and sor-bets in Columbus, Ohio. Jeni Britton Bauer opened her first ice cream business 12 years ago in the historic public market in Columbus. Having worked at a patisserie for many years, she began to apply French pastry making techniques to American ice cream. The result was ice cream that is less sweet, more flavourful with an emphasis on the sublime flavours of real ingredients.
All summer long Jeni's ice cream production kitchen is filled beyond capacity with bushels of heir-loom melons bought at the Saturday market, tiny fresh strawberries in flats, or hundreds of Ohio apples in crates waiting to be made into a juicy sorbet, yogurt or ice cream. Everyday brings Japa-nese cucumbers, black raspberries, or blueberries all grown in Ohio...and all needing to be washed and dried before they can be cooked into a variegate jam, or pureed into sorbet. In the winter, Jeni makes ice cream out of local spicebush berry, goat's milk cajeta, black walnuts and Ohio wines. Throughout the year Jeni sources inspiring ingredients from around the world, such as single origin chocolates from Madagascar, fairly traded vanilla beans from a small farm in Uganda or maple syrup from Saskatchewan. Each of Jeni's shops and website carries 30+ flavours daily depending on season.
Jeni learned the craft and science of ice cream making through many years of independent study which took her to Italy, France, New York, Penn State University and beyond. She has worked with dairy scientists, chefs, and gelato artisans. She continues this study in her own kitchen with the aid of her friends at The Ohio State University Department of Dairy Science in Columbus. Recently, she developed a unique ice cream recipe for home chefs that is ultra creamy - even on a home ma-chine! This recipe is featured in the June 2008 issue of Food & Wine Magazine.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams is a owned and operated by Jeni and Charly Bauer, and Tom Bauer (Jeni's Brother-in-Law). Jeni's currently operates five ice cream shops in Columbus, a production kitchen and a website where customers can order freshly made ice creams sent to their doorstep. Every member of the Jeni's team is devoted to a singular mission: to create the finest ice creams with compelling ingredients and serve them with graciousness to every customer.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams have received accolades from the Boston Globe, The Denver Post, The Chicago Tribune and many more. Marrian Burrows of The New York Times said "Jeni's surpasses the creativity of all other ice cream makers and would be worth the drive to Ohio". Food & Wine magazine called Jeni a Tastemaker - someone "under the age of 35 who has changed the world of food and wine". In 2007, Jeni's won the prestigious Gallo Family Vineyards Gold Medal awards (America's only artisan food award) for her Sour Cherry Lambic sorbet. This summer, Jeni will be featured in O Magazine, Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, Midwest Living and Real Simple Magazine however, she is most proud of receiving the Best Ice Cream in Columbus award for the second year in a row in The Columbus Alive (Feb 26, 2009)!
TisF recently caught up with Jeni...
What is your idea of Fabulous?
JB: Breakfast in bed at the Four Seasons with my husband and two little ones.
Who is the most Fabulous person you know?
JB: George Lange
Which Fabulous word do you use most?
JB: Shit
What is your greatest (most Fabulous) extravagance?
JB: $5000 of vanilla beans bought from Lulu Sturdy's plantation in Uganda.
Where would you like or prefer to live your Fabulous life?
JB: Port Royale in the 1690's
What do you consider your greatest (most Fabulous) achievement?
JB: The Darkest chocolate ice cream
What is your (Fabulous) motto?
JB: Just do it.
For more information about Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream please visit: http://jenisicecreams.com/
