A KILWINNING woman has won the coveted prize of being the number one gelato scooper in Europe.

Jen MacKenzie, from Kilwinning, has been crowned Best Gelato Scooper in Europe.

Representing the UK, the 27-year-old sales and customer care executive for the Scottish luxury ice cream company Equi’s was awarded European Tonda Challenge Winner at the final of European Gelato Festival in Florence, Italy, for her ice cream scooping skills.

Jen saw off 12 Gelato World Tour European Finalists to be awarded super scooper status.

The competitors, from countries across Europe, went head to head in front of a live audience to create the perfect 60 grams gelato cup during the Tonda Challenge.

The highly skilled practise sees ice cream professionals compete to perfectly serve 60 grams of gelato, with one flavour and then two.

Jen won with 60g on her first try with one flavour then 59g on the second with two flavours.

Jen, who travelled all the way to Florence to participate, said: “It’s a huge honour to be awarded this title at the most prestigious gelato competition in the industry.

“I have worked for Equi’s for three years and practise really does make perfect. I’m so fortunate to have had the opportunity to put my ice cream skills to the test in the home of gelato. I’m looking forward to getting back to serving customers in the parlour and sharing my good news.”

David Equi, managing director of company, said: “It’s brilliant to see such gelato talent from Scotland being recognised as the cream of the crop in the very home of gelato.

“Jen has done Scotland, and the UK, proud.”

The team from were finalists, representing the UK in the European Gelato Festival finals in Italy with their Scottish Raspberry Sorbet, after winning the UK heat in London.