DORDRECHT, 8 February 2019 – Gelato Festival Challenge continues its journey around the world making a stop in Dordrecht on February 7 where 25 Dutch gelato artisans took part in the sweetest competition of the year hosted by Carpigiani Benelux at the Horeca Expo DORDRECHT 2019, the biggest Dutch professional fair for the catering industry. The winning flavors are  “Guilty pleasure” by Stefan Beerens of Pavarotti Dolce in Leidschendam, an ostentatious mix of white chocolate apple, peach and decadent caramel would seem over-the-top but wowed the judges &“Homemade” by Paul Wilderink of Ijssalon Paul Wilderink in Haaksbergen which was inspired by anhomemade, mint-laced cheesecake with cooked pears mixed in, oh my!

The selected gelato artisans go on to the Carpigiani International Day, the European Finals of Gelato Festival to be held in Italy in 2020, for a chance to become one of the European artisans who will represent the continent at the 2021 World Final. Flavor, structure, creativity and presentation are the four parameters used for the evaluation, highlighting the choice of ingredients, the craftsmanship in elaborating the recipe and the visual impact of the gelato (see below the full list of participants).

The jury also awarded the “Next Generation” prize to the best gelato artisan under 30, which went to “Apricot & almond pie” by Steff Janssen of Ijssalon Florence in Nederweert was able to balance fruit and nut flavors into a flavor that is great sign for the future of Gelato in Holland! The young artisan will participate in the Next Generation Finale to be held in Florence in 2019, where the best gelato artisan under 30 will be selected to take part in the 2021 World Finale of the Gelato Festival World Masters.

The jury was composed of:

Dr. Bob Frie – a Maestro Gelato Chef in The Netherlands.

Dr. Jan Boeren – Chairman and owner of Le Cuisinier the knowledge platform for chefs.

Marlies Idema - One of the Chefs of Cuisine Culinary Netherlands (CCN) and a member of the board of Cuisine Culinary Zaanstad that has prepared her to be an experienced jury member at the CCN exams and the CCN cooking competitions and is a member of the editorial team of the Cuisinier, Marlies is particularly concerned with taste and taste balance, texture and taste experience in general.

Dat ben ikzelf – manager of IJscentrum the leading Dutch langauge Frozen Dessert magaizine in The Netherlands.

Having made its 2010 debut in Florence inspired by ​​the first gelato recipe by the versatile architect Bernardo Buontalenti in 1559, Gelato Festival has continued to spread artisan gelato culture for nine consecutive years. From its inception, Gelato Festival has spread through Italy and next through Europe and, since 2017, in the United States. Gelato Festival will continue to promote gelato culture and appreciation throughout the globe with its road to the world championship of Gelato Festival World Masters 2021.