Gelato’s Biggest International Festival Returns to America

(Gerry Furth-Sides, event photos are courtesy of the event producer) When Gelato’s biggest international celebration is back in America, returning to its success and will make stop in California at La Cumbre Plaza, 121 S Hope Ave, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, October 13-14.  The Gelato Festival America is here to spread awareness of real Italian artisanal gelato through a contest in which gelato artisans and chefs will compete with original gelato flavors they have created for the event. All the competing flavors at the Santa Barbara stage will be dairy-free, and traditional flavors with dairy will be also available for tasting at the PreGel stand, one of the festival’s sponsors. gelatofestivalamerica.com

The ticket is an all-access pass to all of the activities and reserved events of Gelato Festival America 2018, listed below.

• Attend the Gelato School, where award-winning gelato artisans and experts will share what it takes to be a gelato chef and professional
• Participate in the Gelato Eating Contest, where the five people to eat five cups of gelato the fastest will win a gallon of gelato
• Serve on the Kid’s Jury, where children have the opportunity to question the chefs and vote for their favorite flavor.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors (65+), $15 for kids(3 to 12 years old), and free for children under two years old. Those who purchase tickets for the Gelato Festival online in advance receive a discounted price: $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for kids(must show ID at the gate!).

Presale tickets can be found online at gelatofestivalamerica.com/ticket and on Eventbrite. Tickets will be sold at each venue as well. Festival hours: Saturday 12-8 PM, Sunday 12-7 PM.

Over the next three years, the winners of each stage of Gelato Festival America will compete for one of the three best American gelato chefs.  The Three, along with 36 chefs from all over the world will vie for the title of World Champion in the Gelato Festival World Masters Final in Italy in 2021.

Last year, 50 gelato makers competed with unique gelato flavors to produce over 13,500 pounds of gelato to the delight of over 40,000 visitors and 150 gelato professionals who were present at the Festival in 2017. With the growth of Gelato Festival America, over 100,000 people are expected to attend the 2018 edition.

This year, the Festival already toured seven cities in the US including Jersey City, New Jersey; Chicago, Illinois; Washington, DC, and  Dallas, Texas.

The upcoming schedule includes:

October 20-21 — Scottsdale, AZ, Kierland Common, 15205 N Kierland Blvd Suite 150, Scottsdale, AZ 85254

October 27-28 — Tucson, AZ, La Encantada, 2905 E Skyline Dr, Tucson, AZ 85718

This year the festival will feature a new Mobile Laboratory called “Buontalenti America.”  Daniele Palazzoni describes it as “the world largest frozen dessert laboratory on wheels, bigger than its European tour counterpart.”  “Buontalenti America” is a 38 foot Gooseneck expandable trailer, 800-square feet fully opened,  and equipped with the best and most innovative machines provided by Carpigiani. Cameras and screens live to stream the production of gelato as seen through large windows. All the flavors will be made fresh daily, on site, in every city. It can produce 6000 pounds of gelato per day and accommodate eight chefs in action at the same time.”

Chefs will go through a rigorous selection process to compete in each city with a unique flavor specifically conceived for Gelato Festival America. The winners will then compete for the selection of the three best American gelato chefs who will be part of the 36 chefs from all over the world, who will vie for the title of World Champion in the Gelato Festival World Masters Final in Italy in 2021.

Chefs who wish to compete can ubmit an application at gelatofestivalamerica.com/BE_FAMOUS, or write to team@gelatofestivalamerica.comfor a chance to be selected.

“After the huge success all over Europe, and our first edition of the Gelato Festival in the USA in 2017, we realize that Americans really do love artisanal gelato and artisanal frozen desserts compared to industrial products,” expressed Daniele Palazzoni, General Manager of Gelato Festival America.  “It is our goal to spread the culture of artisan Italian gelato and make certain that every American gets to taste the true one.

I myself was astonished at a recent event experience to see how different an artisan gelato can be. GROM gelato, best outside of Italy, remains so authentic that even their website is in Italian only.  Even the water is from Italy.  (GROM is not part of the festival)