The annual Ever Fresh - OSU Ice Cream Innovation Contest celebrates student creativity through the development of original and marketable ice cream concepts.
Winners of the 2026 Ice Cream Innovation Contest
First Place: Scoop Doggs - Flavor: Rootbeermisu. Their flavor, a root beer tiramisu, re-imagines a nostalgic classic by blending a beloved soda with a dessert that’s recently surged back into the spotlight.
Second Place: Sundae Scaries - Flavor: Butter Together. This team transformed a trending winter favorite—a browned butter latte—into a scoop, carrying its cozy appeal into summer. It also earned top honors as the most popular flavor at the public tasting.
Third Place: Nuts for Fruit - Flavor: Hot Swirl Summer. The duo of food science graduate students reimagined a beloved Mexican street snack—fruit with chamoy—into a bold and innovative ice cream flavor, capturing the perfect balance of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy in every scoop.
2026 Contest Information
Contest Rules:
Eligibility
Open to Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences students and other OSU students collaborating with Food Science majors.
1. Team Registration
- Submit the registration form via email to Melanie Oeck at [email protected] by February 6, 2026.
- Limited to 12 teams (first come, first served).
- Each team must include at least two students, including one Food Science student.
2. Team Collaboration
- Teams may schedule time at the OSU Creamery to formulate and develop their ice cream concepts.
- Coordinate scheduling with Brandon Riesgaard ([email protected]).
3. Progress Report Session
- Each team must meet virtually with an Ever Fresh Fruit Innovation Team member and their assigned mentor during the week of February 23–27, 2026.
- Melanie Oeck will contact team leaders to arrange meeting times.
- At least one team member must attend. Failure to complete this session will result in disqualification.
4. Final Submission
- Final ice cream samples must be produced in the OSU Creamery by March 27, 2026 (minimum 2 gallons per team).
- Samples not produced in the Creamery will be disqualified.
- Schedule freezer time with Brandon Riesgaard before March 20, 2026.
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Submit the following with your final sample:
- Ice cream name
- Ingredient list with usage percentages
- Process description
- Allergen statement (nut allergens are not allowed)
- Costing sheet (template provided)
5. Presentation
- Each team will have five minutes to present their concept during the judging event.
- At least one team member must be present.
- PowerPoint presentations are encouraged.
6. Formulation Requirements
- Teams must use the vanilla or chocolate base and ingredients provided.
- Products not meeting basic food safety standards may be disqualified.
Prizes:
- 1st Place: $1,500 + potential for commercial sale at the OSU Creamery (pending feasibility and safety review)
- 2nd Place: $1,000
- 3rd Place: $500
Key Dates:
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Contest Launch: January 21, 2026 (OSU Campus) if you plan on competing it is important to attend this event. Pizza provided by Ever Fresh Fruit Co.
- Location: Wiegand Hall Room 115 | Time: 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
- This is the perfect opportunity to: meet other students to team up with, be some of the first students to sign your team up, and ask questions you need clarified.
- Team Registration Deadline: February 6, 2026, or when all 12 team slots are filled
- Progress Report Meetings: Week of February 23–27, 2026
- Final Submission Deadline: March 27, 2026
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Event Finale: April 3, 2026 (OSU Corvallis Campus)
- Public Sampling: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. - MU Brick Mall (Located in front of Strand Agriculture Hall just north of Student Experience Center (SEC) Plaza)
- Final Presentations: (5:00) - 6:00 p.m. - Withycombe Hall
- Reception: Immediately following the announcement of winners
- Forbidden Flavors
- Nuts for Fruit
- Sundae Scaries
- Udderly
- Scoop Sisters
- Whipped Cinnamoroll
- Mad Milkers
- Scoop Dogs
- Legen-Dairy
- Feral Housewives
- For-ever Fresh
- The Crumbles