How a Croatian Family Scooped the World’s Best Ice Cream Title

Croatian ice cream has a title of one of the best in the world. What exactly is it about and by what criteria did the family-run Café Anka from Selce earn this prestigious recognition is a story that connects tradition and uncompromising quality.

The victory was achieved at the first Croatian edition of the Grand Prix Gelato competition, held in Split and organized by a renowned Italian magazine, where about fifty masters from ice cream powerhouses such as Italy, Spain, and Austria competed in the culinary ring. After their hazelnut ice cream secured a place in the finals and won silver, Café Anka took the win with their rendition of the timeless classic, strawberry ice cream.

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The prestige of this competition stems from several key factors that give it special weight in the world of gastronomy. First of all, the Grand Prix serves as one of the qualifying steps for the Gelato Festival World Masters, a global competition considered the unofficial world championship in ice cream making. Winning such an event opens the doors to the world stage. In addition, the very fact that it gathers competitors from countries with a long and esteemed tradition of ice cream making adds extra value to the victory. Finally, the organization by the leading professional magazine and the presence of key industry players make it a central event for professionals, where not only taste is judged, but also innovation and the technical excellence of the ice cream masters.

Behind this global success is Café Anka, a business with a tradition longer than 70 years, which is now passionately run by spouses Tereza and Luka Mađar. This is a story of family heritage, named after Tereza‘s grandmother Anka, with the foundations of modern confectionery laid by her father after training in Italy. Today, as the third generation, Tereza and Luka continue on the same path, but the core remains unchanged: an uncompromising commitment to quality and authenticity. This is confirmed by the owner herself, who proudly points out that the winning ice cream is made from the same ingredients she offers to her guests every day, making this victory even sweeter and more valuable.

Although the news of the victory arrived in November, it only gained real momentum with the start of the season, since Café Anka operates seasonally. Now, with the doors of the pastry shop at Trg Palih Boraca 11 open, patient lines have become an everyday occurrence. Guests wait to taste a scoop of the award-winning strawberry for two euros, but also to discover other imaginative creations that are freshly prepared every day. The display case also features exciting combinations such as lime with basil, mascarpone with fig or chocolate with lavender, proving that tradition and innovation perfectly complement each other here.

This success has put Selce on the gastronomic map and proved that top culinary experiences are often hidden in small places with great passion. With the victory, Tereza won a Piaggio Vespa scooter and secured a spot in the grand final in Alicante, where she will compete for an even more prestigious prize. For all gourmets, Café Anka, open every day from 7 a.m. to midnight, has become an unmissable stop and a reminder that the best ice cream in the world does not have to be sought far away.