Village Ice Cream Calgary: A Sweet Epiphany, Homemade Flavors, and the Best Salted Caramel

Every now and then, a culinary discovery comes along that completely redefines an everyday pleasure. For me, that moment arrived with Village Ice Cream in Calgary, a place that doesn’t just serve ice cream but crafts an experience. As someone with an admittedly deep and abiding love for all things frozen and creamy – a sentiment that is certainly not news to regular readers – finding a spot like this is a true revelation. This isn’t just about satisfying a sweet tooth; it’s about appreciating the artistry and passion behind every scoop.

Billy Friley’s Sweet Escape: From Quarter-Life Crisis to Ice Cream Artisan

The story behind Village Ice Cream is as delightful as its flavors. It all begins with my new neighbour-slash-mixmaster, Billy Friley, whose journey into the world of artisan ice cream is nothing short of inspiring. Billy, like many of us, faced a quarter-life crisis. Instead of succumbing to the typical doldrums, he embarked on a transformative week-long retreat to his Grandma’s couch, during which he tasted a life-changing huckleberry ice cream from a micro-ice creamery in Montana. This wasn’t just a dessert; it was an epiphany. In that moment, Billy realized his calling, deciding then and there that crafting exceptional ice cream would become his life’s work. Or, at the very least, his Next Big Thing. This pivot from uncertainty to a clear, passionate pursuit is a testament to the power of following one’s taste buds, literally.

Crafting Perfection: The Birth of Village Ice Cream

Following his Montana revelation, Billy dedicated 13 months to mastering the art of ice cream making. He toiled away in a small, unassuming space located in a parking lot off 10th Ave SE, meticulously learning every nuance of creating ice cream from scratch. During this intensive period, his only consistent companion was, in a playful twist, a poster of Jessica Alba, who still “oversees” the ice cream machine in the corner of his now-open shop. This charming detail adds a layer of character to an already compelling narrative. Just this past weekend, Billy generously shared his expertise, giving my companion W a quick tutorial in the delicate process of making homemade salted caramel ice cream. The dedication to this craft is evident in every rich, creamy spoonful.

Now, Village Ice Cream has officially opened its doors, and it’s an absolute must-visit for anyone in Calgary seeking a truly exceptional dessert experience. It might take a little bit of poking around to find this hidden gem, nestled in that back parking lot by the train tracks, but the journey is undeniably worth it. The shop is a testament to Billy’s vision, offering a meticulously curated selection of gourmet ice cream flavors, all made with incredible attention to detail and high-quality ingredients. From the moment you step inside, you can feel the passion and dedication that goes into every aspect of this artisanal establishment. This commitment to traditional methods and fresh ingredients truly sets Village Ice Cream apart in Calgary’s vibrant food scene, making it a beloved local spot.

A Symphony of Flavors: Beyond the Salted Caramel

While the salted caramel is a showstopper (more on that in a moment), Village Ice Cream boasts an array of other unique and irresistible flavors that are equally worth exploring. Each one tells a story, often rooted in personal touches and high-quality sourcing:

• Huckleberry: The very flavor that sparked Billy’s epiphany, this ice cream is a delicate balance of sweet and tart, transporting you straight to the mountain ranges of Montana.
• Cardamom: A wonderfully aromatic and sophisticated flavor, made with freshly ground cardamom sourced from the renowned Silk Road Spice Merchant. The freshness of the spice truly shines through, offering a warm and exotic note.
• Girl Guide Mint: Not your average mint chocolate chip, this version features homemade chocolate cookies blended into a refreshing mint base, offering a delightful texture and depth of flavor.
• Toasted Coconut: A comforting and familiar flavor, crafted using Billy’s mom’s cherished recipe. The toasted notes add a nutty complexity that elevates the simple coconut.

And, of course, the legendary salted caramel, a flavor that has truly captured my culinary imagination.

The Irresistible Allure of Salted Caramel Ice Cream

I’ve certainly had salted caramel before – it’s a popular flavor in the dessert world – but never has it tasted quite like this. Village Ice Cream’s salted caramel is in a league of its own, an exquisite blend of creamy sweetness perfectly balanced with just the right kiss of sea salt. It’s a flavor so profound and satisfying that it has ignited a mild obsession within me. My mind frequently wanders to the decadent idea of gently setting a creamy scoop of this divine creation on top of a warm stack of fluffy pancakes, allowing it to slowly melt and cascade down the sides, infusing every bite with its rich, complex goodness. This will happen. Oh yes, it most certainly will.

Beyond pancakes, I’ve also heard whispers of another extraordinary pairing: a scoop of this salted caramel ice cream making a truly divine float in a banana bread beer. Yes, that’s also a thing, and it sounds like a culinary adventure I’m more than willing to embark on. The combination of the sweet, salty, and creamy ice cream with the malty, fruity notes of banana bread beer promises an unforgettable taste experience. This illustrates the versatility and sheer deliciousness of Billy’s creation, proving it’s not just an ice cream, but a foundational element for innovative dessert exploration. It’s the kind of flavor that inspires new culinary ideas and pushes the boundaries of what a simple scoop can achieve.

The Art of the Waffle Cone and the Village Philosophy

What truly elevates the Village Ice Cream experience even further is their unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, right down to the very vessel that holds your scoop: the waffle cones. They don’t just buy pre-made cones; they make all their waffle cones FROM SCRATCH, ONE AT A TIME. This isn’t merely a detail; it’s a testament to their dedication to quality and freshness. The aroma of freshly baked waffle cones alone is enough to draw you in, and the crisp, warm, slightly sweet cone perfectly complements the cold, creamy ice cream. This meticulous process underscores their philosophy: if you’re going to indulge in ice cream, it should be an experience of unparalleled quality, from the first sight to the last bite.

This level of dedication to every component is what sets Village Ice Cream apart. It’s not just about mixing ingredients; it’s about a passion for perfection, a commitment to artisan methods, and a belief that the best ice cream is made with care, patience, and the highest quality components. This is exactly what ice cream should be – a delightful journey for the senses, crafted with love and precision.

Connecting Through Food: Local Discoveries and Digital Evolution

As a food blogger, I’m constantly meeting fascinating people and tasting incredible new things. However, I don’t always manage to post about every single discovery here on the main blog. Often, I make a conscious choice not to, primarily because many of my readers aren’t from Calgary. Unless you’re planning a visit to our vibrant city, or simply enjoy reading about the culinary innovations happening in other places, some local highlights might not feel directly relevant to everyone. Yet, these local gems, like Village Ice Cream, are too good not to share, forming the very fabric of our food community.

This challenge of sharing quick, relevant local finds without always crafting extensive blog posts led to a new creative endeavor. One day, after indulging in ice cream with my teenage niece (E), she helped me navigate the world of Tumblr while we relaxed on the couch. This casual session unexpectedly led to me starting a new offshoot blog – a spinoff, much like Frasier branched off from Cheers. I called it The Gullet, a name I found appealing. This new platform acts as a hybrid between a traditional blog and Twitter, allowing me to post quick snippets and instant updates directly from my phone. It’s perfect for sharing those fleeting culinary moments and local discoveries that might not warrant a full-length article but are still worth highlighting. Currently, I’m just playing around with it, experimenting with its potential, but it’s set to become an integral part of my summertime blog makeover project, as this primary blog could certainly do with an overhaul.

And speaking of improvements, I have some good news! I’m in the process of switching servers, which means we should no longer experience any more frustrating problems with slow downloads. This will ensure a smoother, faster, and more enjoyable experience for all my readers as I continue to share my culinary adventures and insights.

Experience the Divine: Meet Billy and Village Ice Cream

So there you have it. Everyone, please meet Billy, the visionary behind Village Ice Cream! His journey from a quarter-life crisis to a celebrated ice cream artisan is a testament to passion, dedication, and the transformative power of a truly great scoop of ice cream. Really, his ice cream is completely divine. The commitment to crafting everything from scratch, especially those incredible waffle cones made one at a time, speaks volumes about the quality and care infused into every product. If you’re going to go for ice cream, I truly believe it should be this good. It’s an experience that transcends mere dessert; it’s a celebration of local craftsmanship, fresh ingredients, and unforgettable flavors. So, if you find yourself in Calgary, make the effort to seek out Village Ice Cream. Your taste buds will thank you.