WHAT’S THE SCOOP?

  • June 1, 2019

Souris’ new ice cream maker is melting PEI’s hearts

Ice cream, ice cream, everybody loves ice cream. And so does Rebecca Kozak, owner of Cherry on Top Creamery, and maker of delicious melty goodness. “I am known as the ice cream kitchen,” she said. “I bought an ice cream maker, and people really liked it.” What started with friends devouring her creative flavours, turned into Kozak selling her products by the pint out of a Souris back-office fridge over the past couple of months. Now she’s getting ready for more—her very own ice cream shop.

Kozak was born in Kitchener, Ontario, and grew up in the Boston, US area and Guelph, Ontario. She completed a two-year culinary management program at Niagara College and discovered that she liked the sweet things in life. But baking was more a hobby, and not a part of her jobs in the culinary world which took her from Lake Louise, AB, to Australia, and then back to Canadian kitchens of Eden in Banff, and the Fairmont Hotel in Whistler.

Then life opened up another path for her, this time to Canada’s east. In this case, we have to thank chef Michael Smith that Kozak found her way to PEI. It was an ad for the Inn at Bay Fortune that caught her attention one night while browsing the web after a hard day’s work in Whistler, BC. What were the odds? But she applied for the job, got it, and moved from Canada’s West to its East Coast, and spent the 2017 season in said kitchen. Last summer, she was the head chef at Richard’s Fresh Seafood in Stanhope, PEI.

Like many in the culinary world, Kozak does still dream of opening her own restaurant. But for the moment, her calling is to fulfill Islanders’ cravings by filling their stomachs with ice cream.

“It’s flavours people want, and flavours I like,” Kozak said, when describing her offerings. Skor, Nutella Crunch, Kettle Corn—just to name a few. Seasonal creations will be coming to our cones as well, “Like a fresh mint infusion,” she said.

Owner and ice cream maker, Rebecca Kozak submitted photo

Her ice cream is made with PEI dairy and eggs, and overall preferably local ingredients, often in collaboration with other local food producers such as Island Gold Honey, the Prince Edward Island Sea Salt Company, Lady Baker’s Tea, Maritime Marzipan, and more. Dairy-free and vegan options will also be available. Most importantly, everything will be handmade, “from the sprinkles, to chocolate sauce, cookie dough, peanut butter cups.”

While selling ice cream by the scoop will be her main gig, “freakshakes” (“crazy” milkshakes), a variety of coffees, and a selection of homemade baked goods and treats will be completing her menu. Are you drooling yet? Let me give you some relief by telling you when and where: Cherry on Top Creamery will be opening June 7th inside the Artisans on Main shop in Souris.

This young Island food entrepreneur with fresh ideas and a hand for creating lip-smacking sweetness is getting ready for her big opening. And so should we. Let’s get ready to trek out to the beautiful east side of our Island. Let’s get ready to indulge. And let’s pray that summer will be here soon, and stays around long enough so that we can find lots of excuses to cool down at Cherry on Top Creamery.

P.S. If you thought Rebecca is the only one in the Kozak family with fresh ideas and creative hands, don’t be mistaken. All of Cherry on Top Creamery’s refreshing and unique branding is done by her sister Tori of Tori Designs.

About Jessica L. Fritz

Jessica is "from away" in the truest sense of its meaning: her roots are in Germany. She immigrated to Toronto, Canada in 2010 and moved to PEI two summers ago. As a passionate home cook Jessica likes to explore different types of cuisines including her native one. "Thinking globally, buying locally" is her foodie mantra, and being able to grow veggies in her own backyard was one of the big drivers for her move to PEI.
Putting words on paper has always been a way to express herself. Hence, writing for Salty combines her love for food and the written word while at the same time discovering PEI's thriving culinary landscape.
And recently, Jessica and her husband launched their own food business: Maritime Marzipan offers hand-made traditional European almond treats inspired by Island living. She is blogging about her adventure here on saltyisland.com or you can find them at maritimemarzipan.com.

View All Posts
Share This Post