Changhua native Sylvia Chao(趙韻嵐) has won first prize at the Sherbeth International Festival of Artisan Ice Cream in Palermo, Sicily, for her Luce d'Oolong flavored ice cream. That’s according to Italy’s la Repubblica’s reporting from this past Tuesday.

Chao runs an ice cream parlor called Mountain in Blue in her hometown of Lukang, where she uses local ingredients to create unique flavors. Previously, her ice cream was specially chosen to serve to international guests at the National Day reception in Taipei in 2023.

According to La Repubblica, Chao’s oolong tea ice cream, with its blend of floral notes and other flavors, won unanimous praise from the public and professionals alike. This marks the first time a Taiwanese ice cream artisan has won the award.

Palermo, the birthplace of ice cream, has been hosting this festival since 2008. This year saw 50 contestants participate. Chao’s achievement follows a team of Taiwanese pastry chefs winning the 2025 Panettone World Championship in northern Italy just last month.