McConnell’s Ice Creams, Michael Palmer, Santa Barbara, CA

Michael Palmer is the owner of McConnell’s Ice Cream in Santa Barbara, along with his wife, Chef Eva Ein. They’re not the original owners though: McConnell’s started in 1949 with Gordon and Ernesteen McConnell. The brand was beloved already, but when Michael and Eva took over, the vibe and the quality hit its stride. Today, people revere McConnell’s ice cream in its several scoop shops across southern California, and in fine grocers all over the country. We talked about his background in the wine industry, which he is still a part of, the industrial food complex, and how working with something as perishable as ice cream can keep him up at night.

McConnell’s Ice Cream

Instagram: @mcconnellsicecreams