Dragons Den contestant scoops ice cream success with Booths

Booths first to stock new product from BBC’s Dragons’ Den

frozen dessert maker from Preston has won a contract to supply Booths after managing to keep her cool in the Dragons’ Den.

Kirsty Henshaw presented her Worthenshaws’s range of Coconice puddings to the fearsome Dragons’ Den panel on the first episode of the new series of the popular BBC show which was screened on July 14.

The young mum explained to the Dragons how she devised the desserts after failing to find a healthy alternative to ice cream for her dairy intolerant child.

Using a £30 ice cream maker, the 24-year-old soon found a recipe for success combining brown rice milk, coconut oil, New Zealand Manuka Honey and echinacea – all renowned for their health giving properties.

Dragon’s Den judges were impressed with her entrepreneurial spirit and she won a deal with Peter Jones and Duncan Bannatyne.

Booths has now become the first multiple retailer to stock her delicious healthy iced puddings. It will sell 500ml tubs of Coconice in three flavours – vanilla, chocolate and strawberry.

Booths Alan Kirby says: “Kirsty has come up with a really innovative product that we think fills a gap in the market. Her desserts are not only good for you but they taste good too. We think that they will strike a chord with other mums looking for sugar free treats for their children and with people who simply love delicious desserts.”

Kirsty hopes she can replicate the success of former Dragons’ Den contestant Levi Roots whose Reggae Reggae sauces have become a hot seller.

Kirsty, a former massage therapist who lives in Broadgate, Preston, explains: “Having been brought up in a vegetarian and healthy household, I’m aware that many desserts on the market contain lots of saturated fat or are labelled as ‘low fat’ but actually contain a high amount of added sugar. This highlighted the need for a range of desserts tailored to people with eating restrictions or for those who just enjoy eating natural and healthy foods.

“The Dragons’ Den experience was scary but a great confidence boost and I’m thrilled it’s led to me supplying Booths which is my local supermarket.”

Made from all natural ingredients, Coconice contain no dairy, no added sugar, no nuts and no artificial additives.

With less than 100 calories per serving, the puds are marketed as a “guilt free pleasure in a pot!”

The Coconice desserts are available in selected Booths stores now.