Exhibit 23


                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No. 333-24893) pertaining to the Eskimo Pie Corporation 1996 Incentive Stock
Plan,  the Eskimo Pie  Corporation  Savings Plan and the Eskimo Pie  Corporation
Employee Stock Purchase Plan of our report dated June 17, 1998,  with respect to
the financial  statements  and schedules of the Eskimo Pie  Corporation  Savings
Plan included in this Annual Report (Form 11-K) for the year ended  December 31,
1997.



                                                     /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Richmond, Virginia
June 26, 1998