MasterChef runner-up Ben Ungermann opens Ipswich ice-cream parlour

​​What's the lowdown?

MasterChef 2017 runner-up Ben Ungermann, renowned for his ice-cream creations, is giving fans what they want. The popular cooking show contestant – and subject of an outraged "He woz robbed!" social media furore following the finale – decided to pull the plug on his day job to go into business with brother Danny. The pair's original plan was to open a Dutch-themed cafe in homage to their grandmother, but Ben's followers wouldn't have a bar of it.

"I got slammed," he says. "They just wanted me to open an ice-cream shop."

So, he listened. Ben and Danny are shunning Queensland's capital to open Ungermann Brothers Ice-Cream Parlour in their hometown of Ipswich. As the local paper gloated: "Stiff bikkies, Brisbane."

When does it open?

Ungermann Brothers Ice Cream Parlour opens on Australia Day.

What is there to be excited about?

A reason to visit Ipswich. Which, with all 'westy' prejudices set aside, really is a pretty decent place.

Ungermann Brothers' neighbours in the historic heritage-listed building include a craft brewery and a restaurant, so that's drinks, dinner, and now dessert sorted. The parlour has a retro theme, with black and white checkered floors, Tiffany-blue walls and pops of pink neon. Sticky-beakers can watch the ice-cream being made from a walkway past the kitchen.

Ben reckons Ipswich is just the beginning, with Ungermann Brothers branches opening in the future. Maybe even in Brisbane.

What's on the menu?

Ice-cream, duh. Ben's bold-flavoured, super creamy ice-cream line-up ($7 cone; $6 cup; $21 tasting plate) includes a mellow roast garlic (don't worry, it's served with an after dinner mint), strawberry and balsamic, bacon and pecan, lavender with honeycomb, and fairy bread flavours. There's even a surprisingly good lactose-free chocolate and peanut butter for dairy-dodgers.

Open daily 11am-9pm

Ungermann Brothers Ice-cream Parlour, 88 Limestone Street, Ipswich