Mora Iced Creamery named finalist in Martha Stewart Living competition
Published 12:50 pm Thursday, September 18, 2014
Bainbridge’s family-owned ice cream parlor, Mora Iced Creamery, is an island household name.
After being named a finalist in Martha Stewart Living’s American Made Awards competition, though, the name is on its way to national recognition.
“This is an American dream come true,” said Ana Orselli, who started the artisan ice cream company 10 years ago with husband Jerry Perez.
“We are thrilled and honored to be chosen as a finalist in the Martha Stewart American Made Awards.”
The competition honors craftspeople, small-business owners and innovators across the U.S.
Ten American Made award winners will be announced on Oct. 17 in four categories: food, design, crafts and style.
While an online nomination process began the search in June, editors of Martha Stewart Living selected the finalists this month.
Mora Iced Creamery embodies the American Made Awards.
Orselli and Perez began the company after moving their family to Washington from Argentina.
“This has been a big year for us,” Perez said.
“We became American citizens on July 4, and now we are finalists in this amazing competition that just last year we only dreamed about entering.”
With locations on Bainbridge Island, in Kingston and Poulsbo and nationwide shipping, Mora’s 48 flavors of ice cream and sorbet are handmade using all-natural and local ingredients when possible.
“We squeeze the lemons and peel the pineapples,” Perez said.
“It’s the kind of ice cream your grandmother would have made.”
The family plans to open a new ice cream factory in Poulsbo this fall.
Judges will select nine of the winning entrepreneurs. The 10th winner will be chosen by a nationwide online vote.
From Sept. 15 through Oct. 13 Martha Stewart Living will hold the public vote at www.marthastewart.com/americanmade/nominee/94175/food/more-iced-creamery.
The winning entrepreneurs will receive a trip for two to New York City to attend the an awards ceremony and a spot in the American Made Market. They will also receive $10,000 to grow their businesses, an opportunity to be featured in Martha Stewart Living magazine and on SiriusXM radio.
