Häagen-Dazs and Paola Velez shake up a flavorful, fun sundae
While summer and ice cream are always the perfect pair, the smiles served with every scoop are more than just a taste of sweetness. Ice cream, in its beautiful simplicity, is both rooted in memories and a flavor of the future. With this new offering from Häagen-Dazs and Paola Velez, the past and present blend into the perfect ice cream sundae.
Recently, Häagen-Dazs released its City Sweets Collection and in particular a special ice cream sundae featuring one of the ice cream flavors at its shops locations. The flavors are a nod to old school, city-centric flavors. Anyone who spent summer in New York City will appreciate the Black & White Cookie. While everyone will see the scoop of nostalgia in the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel.
As part of the City Sweets Collection launch, the Häagen-Dazs partnered with celebrated and whimsical pastry chef Paola Velez for a new PB&J Sundae featuring the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel ice cream. Foodies who has glimpsed at her Instagram account cannot help but smile at the sweet silliness that fills the screen.
Recently, FoodSided spoke with Velez about this partnership and why the new Häagen-Dazs City Sweets Collection spoke to her. Even though most people are ready to dig into that tasty sundae, it is more than just any sweet scoop of enjoyment.
Velez said that this PB&J sundae is a personification of being “light-hearted, carefree, silly and funny.” While she has always believed in not taking herself too seriously, there is a meaning behind this collaboration.
Similar to the Häagen-Dazs founders, Velez is connected to the Bronx and has fond memories of grabbing that ice cream treat from the bodega. That little container of ice cream always made her smile, and she believes this partnership “is a match made in heaven.”
When asked how she created this special sundae flavor, Velez said it started with her favorite ice cream flavor. Her family knows that she would always pick chocolate above every other option. She said, that her “seven year old self” would go be thrilled to order this special creation from the menu.
In some ways, that sentiment is what truly resonates about this creation as well as the other City Sweets Collection flavor. It is about tapping into that food memory.
Whether it is recalling that stop at a deli for a black and white cookie after holiday shopping or a craving the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich that always bought a sense of comfort, there is something familiar in the new. When a flavor satisfies yet has people yearning for more, it is instantly a big hit.
Beyond bringing smiles with every scoop, this partnership looks to give back. While Velez has always sought to add a charitable aspect to many of her ventures, she believes that bringing a little kindness is something that everyone can accomplish.
Velez said, “there’s always an aspect where we can fit in kindness.” She went one to explain, that “you don’t have to be a millionaire to give back.” Whether it is making someone a batch of cookies or taking them to an ice cream shop for a sundae, a little generosity and an open heart can come in many forms.
This summer, take a moment to bring a little extra happiness to someone’s day. Whether it is taste of the PB&J Sundae, a scoop of Häagen-Dazs ice cream or sharing a favorite memory with a friend, there is plenty of fun waiting to be had. Sometimes life’s simple pleasures are the ones that make the sweetest memories.