And this year, Ashgrove Cheese reckons it’s got its competitors licked.

As well as selling its sought-after cheese platters, the Elizabeth Town dairy producer will run an ice-cream bar on the lawns of Parliament House during next week’s Taste of Tasmania festival in Hobart.

Flavours on offer at the Funky Cow include Tasmanian apple, honey, creamy mango, cherry and chocolate, and apple rhubarb, with Ashgrove marketing manager Anne Bennett expecting the new range to prove a hit.

‘‘The idea was to branch out and celebrate the things we do with our fresh milk, as well as our cheeses,’’ Ms Bennett said.

‘‘The ice-cream is something we’re really excited about, but we’ve also come up with some creative milk.

‘‘The crazy creamed bubblegum is particularly interesting.’’

Ashgrove will team up at Taste with fellow North-Westerners Barringwood Vineyard and Spreyton Cider, with the hope of emulating their success 12 months ago.

On top of winning the prestigious Best Taste Plate, Ashgrove’s stellar year included two gold medals at the Australian Dairy Product Competition, plus further prizes at the Melbourne and Royal Hobart fine food awards.

This year there will be 18 new Taste stalls to join the list of traditional favourites.

FACT FILE

WHAT: Taste of Tasmania 2014.

WHEN: Sunday, December 28, to Saturday, January 3.

WHERE: Hobart Waterfront, Princes Wharf No.1, Parliament House Lawns, and Salamanca Lawns.

MORE INFO: http://www.thetasteoftasmania.com.au/