GREGORY JAMES
Olaf Growald
Most of us in the Fort Worth food community know Kari Crowe-Seher from Melt Ice Creams. But over the past few years, another local ice cream maker with a similar first name has been establishing herself as an expert cold treats’ maker.
Kerrie Thome of Fort Worth runs a small ice cream business called Starry Ice Cream. Since 2018, she has been selling pints of her handmade ice cream along Magnolia Avenue and at various pop-up events. She recently updated her business model to fit our current COVID-19 climate: She now delivers her treats to homes and businesses for free — a sweet deal indeed.
FW: How did you get started in the ice cream biz?
KT: I am originally from Wisconsin. My father’s family had a dairy farm there, and I have always felt very connected to those roots. In February 2018, I attended the Ice Cream Makers Short Course at the University of Wisconsin and became completely hooked. Two months later, I started Starry with a sold-out ice cream social in Boyd, Texas. My brother owns a restaurant there, and he helped me get started. After several months at his restaurant, I bought my own equipment and started working out of Locavore in Fort Worth.
FW: Tell us about the name, Starry Ice Cream.
KT: I love to make ice cream inspired by music and art. The name came to me while listening to “Starry Eyes,” by Roky Erickson, and then I looked to Van Gogh’s “Starry Starry Night” for my color scheme. I’ve always been enamored by the stars. To me, the big dipper in my logo represents a thing that guides people to happier, better things.
FW: Your top flavors?
KT: My most popular flavor is Turtle Time. It is caramel ice cream, toasted salted pecans, and dark chocolate. I make all of the caramel by hand, which is not a quick process for me, so that’s why “time” is part of the name. My personal favorite is Raspberry Lemon Sherbet. It reminds me of my grandmother’s raspberry preserves that she made on the farm in Wisconsin.
Free delivery is available anywhere in Tarrant County. For flavors and ordering information, visit starryicecream.com.