Learn From The Expert: Meet Our Professor of Ice Cream
We have our very own scoop shop in our Vermont headquarters, and that’s where Professor Marla Eckman rules the school. It’s called Scoop University – you can tell school's in session when the amazing smell of fresh baked brownies & waffle cones waft through the building. Then the cowbell rings at 3pm and the cows come running! and by “cows” we mean...us.
-
Item number 1
What the heck is Scoop University?
Scoop University (Scoop U) is an 8 day training program held at our headquarters in Vermont. We actually have a real Scoop Shop in the building to train in, and a classroom to teach in. We provide Scoop U students with our comprehensive operations and business training program, developed especially for our franchisees and managers. There are typically 5-6 sessions a year.
-
Item number 2
How many people work in Scoop U?
My boss, the Dean of Scoop U and I, the Scoop U Professor are the duo in the training department. We’re always updating the training materials and looking for new ways to teach and develop our students. We have a lot fun doing our jobs!
-
Item number 3
What happens when Scoop U is not in session?
We’re always testing different products. It could be a new shake or possibly a new sundae. Toppings are always fun to eat and see how they taste on ice cream. We work together with the marketing team and by the end of the meetings we’re usually a little loopy from all the sugar we’ve been eating. The meetings are great.
-
Item number 4
Favorite topping?
Our proprietary Hot fudge. When there is ice cream in Scoop University, the hot fudge is always turned on so that I can enjoy some on the ice cream. I could eat this every day. I’m also a chocolate lover. Chocolate Therapy with our hot fudge? Amazing!
-
Item number 5
How often do you eat ice cream?
When Scoop U is in session, I always tell my students that they can have a sundae, cone or shake whenever they want. The more you taste the product, the better you can describe it to the customer when they ask you about it.
-
Item number 6
Perfect temperature for eating ice cream?
Our ice cream in the dip cases are usually 10 degrees F. This makes the ice cream easy to scoop and the perfect consistency to eat.
-
Item number 7
What is your favorite Scoop Shop item?
I am a huge fan of our ice cream cakes. They consist of two layers of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream with a layer of cookies, brownies, and/or chocolate crunchies in between and a base of cookies and/or brownies on the bottom. Some of my favorite flavor combinations are:
Strawberry Cheesecake & Chocolate Therapy.
Candy Bar Pie & Chocolate Peanut Buttery Swirl.
Mint Chocolate Chunk & Sweet Cream & Cookies.
Milk & Cookies & Salted Caramel Blondie.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough & Chocolate Fudge Brownie. -
Item number 8
Fun fact!
We make all of our waffle cones in our shops. That wonderful smell in the shops is our proprietary waffle cone recipe. Waffle cones are excellent with two scoops of different flavors. That’s my professional recommendation.
-
Item number 9
What's my favorite part about my job?
I work with, talk or write about ice cream every day. Who wouldn’t love that?
