Our Story

More than 40 years ago, Mike’s journey into the world of ice cream started with an unforgettable moment far from home.

“Back in 1980, I was on the pier in Seattle, Washington, there was an ice cream shop with a line stretching around the block, all for a hand-made waffle cone. Intrigued, I joined the line. The warm cone, the slowly melting ice cream, the aroma, and the cherry on top—it was incredible! When I returned to Edmonton, I couldn’t stop thinking about that cone.”

Determined to bring that same magic to his community, Mike sourced two waffle irons and began selling cones at trade shows and fairs.

“The lineups were unbelievable!” Mike laughs. “I called it the Monster Cone. We sold so much Palm Dairies ice cream that they asked me to distribute for them.”

This success led to even bigger opportunities. Mike became the first to distribute Häagen-Dazs in Western Canada, followed by Ben & Jerry’s when they expanded into Canada.

Then came the partnership that changed everything: Chapman’s Ice Cream.

“Over twenty years ago, Dave and Penny Chapman approached me to become a master distributor for their brand. I was the first to bring Chapman’s from Ontario to Western Canada,” Mike shares with pride.

Chapman’s quickly became a family favorite, offering options for everyone—from premium tubs of creamy caramel praline to fun-sized cones perfect for kids.

Mike is especially proud of Chapman’s commitment to quality. “Chapman’s has always stayed true to its roots, using 100% natural cream and supporting Canada’s dairy farmers. Chapman’s hasn’t changed because they don’t need to.”

Where we are Today

While Chapman’s remains our flagship brand, The Ice Cream Depot now carries 480 different types and sizes of ice cream, representing 11 trusted brands.

Most recently, we’ve been developing our very own line: Mike’s Ice Cream. Designed with kids (and the young at heart) in mind, featuring exciting flavors like:

Mike’s Cotton Candy Commotion
Cookies n’ Cream Dream
Mike’s Bubble Gum Burst

From selling cones at trade shows to becoming Western Canada’s trusted ice cream distributor, our journey is built on passion, partnerships, and a commitment to delivering smiles with every scoop!

We also operate depots in Surrey, BC and Calgary, AB enabling efficient logistics across Western Canada. These strategically located facilities ensure seamless distribution, allowing us to deliver high-quality frozen products quickly and reliably to our customers throughout the region.

A Guinness World Record Scoop of History

July 24, 1988: The Day the Ice Cream King Was Crowned

Our founder, Mike Rogiani and a dedicated team of friends and family set a Guinness World Record for the largest ice cream sundae ever created!

The sundae was made with two 45-foot semi-trailers carrying 350-pound slabs of ice cream in 63 flavours, combined with five tons of sundae toppings and served cold in an empty swimming pool set up in the middle of Edmonton City Centre Mall.

Whipped cream, crushed peanuts, and maraschino cherries completed the record-breaking masterpiece!

Two semi-trailers were filled with 350-pound slabs of ice cream in 63 flavours, while a five-tonne truck carried 45-gallon drums of six classic sundae toppings: chocolate, fudge, pineapple, caramel, strawberry, and butterscotch. This vast collection of ingredients set the foundation for the colossal sundae.

An empty swimming pool was temporarily placed in Edmonton City Centre Mall, providing the perfect vessel for the massive sundae. Using forklifts and electric power jacks, Mike and his team carefully transported ice cream slabs and sundae toppings into the pool, carefully organizing each layer for the sundae that would soon become legendary.

Mike and his team carefully stacked the ice cream slabs and layered the toppings, the sundae grew taller and wider as the ingredients piled. Whipped cream was generously spread, followed by a lavish sprinkling of crushed peanuts, sprinkles, and maraschino cherries. The sundae evolved into a true work of art.

Over 35 years later, the record still stands! Once completed, the massive sundae was served for all to enjoy, with proceeds benefiting charity. Crowds gathered to witness the monumental feat and taste the world’s largest ice cream sundae. Thanks to the effort of Mike and his team, this moment remains a Guinness World Record to this day, and a defining part of our story.

We are a proud member of the Ice Cream Association

A global leader in fostering a vibrant ice cream industry. Through a collaborative network of distributors, manufacturers, retailers, and vendors, the association provides expertise on best practices, industry solutions, mobile vending regulations, and frozen dessert innovation—all for the love of ice cream.

In June 2017, Mike received the Leaders Award from Business in Edmonton.

This prestigious honor recognizes owners, presidents, and CEOs of small and medium-sized businesses for their innovation, business success, industry leadership, community commitment, and philanthropy.

"My favorite flavor is Rocky Road," says Mike. "It’s dark chocolate with a ribbon of marshmallow and walnuts—kind of like my life story. Dark moments, but always a stream of sweetness and light, with a few stumbling blocks along the way. If being the ice cream king has taught me anything, it’s this: never quit, never give up—and always enjoy a scoop of ice cream every day."

2017 Business Leaders Award

When you support us, you support a local, Family Owned Business

We appreciate your support of our small business and the community that we live in.

The impact of your business recirculates back into the local economy and supports local jobs.

Mission

Providing exceptional ice cream distribution and frozen storage across Western Canada with a commitment to quality, freshness, and customer satisfaction through reliable cold-chain logistics.

Vision

To be Western Canada’s leading family-owned ice cream distributor, known for quality, innovation, and community engagement, while expanding our network and making people smile through our love of ice cream.

Our Values

The customer is our top priority

Our people are our most important asset

Quality will be remembered long after price is forgotten

We are all ambassadors of the Chapman's Ice Cream brand - a family business with family values, providing family-affordable treats