Carpigiani is proud to announce the top three winners of its King of Prussia gelato challenge, held in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, at Rosito Bisani East Coast Office, on February 26.

The top three winners, and their winning flavors, are:

First place: Angela Cicala of Cicala Restaurant in Philadelphia (PA) with the flavor “Sant’Oranzo”. 
Description: toasted almond gelato with blood orange marmelade & Napolian taralli

Second place: Vincenzo Tettamanti of Gemelli Artisan Gelato in West Chester (PA) with the flavor “Fresh Ricotta, Rosemary & Raw Honey”. 
Description: fresh Pennsylvania ricotta with infused rosemary and Raw wildflower Honey 

Third place: Justine MacNeil of Fiore in Philadelphia (PA) with the flavor “Smores”.

Description: burnt marshmallow infused gelato with milk chocolate fudge swirl & crushed housemade Graham creackers inspired by New York’s childwood memory

The King of Prussia gelato challenge is one of three North America regional gelato challenges to be held in 2024 as part of the Gelato Festival World Masters. Three winners from each of the regional challenges will advance to the North America Semifinals in 2024. The Gelato Festival World Masters, sponsored by Carpigiani and Sigep – Italian Exhibition Group, is holding a four-year series of competitions to find the world’s best gelato. Over the 2022-2025 time period, a series of regional competitions will be held, with the final global competition to be held in 2025 in Italy.

The gelato creations are judged on the choice of ingredients used, technical structure, craftsmanship in creating the recipe and visual impact. At each competition, the gelati will be judged by a panel of esteemed judges. Judges for the North America challenge in King of Prussia were:

•    Nick Elmi, Chef of Laurel Restaurant in Philadelphia (PA);
•    Emilio Mignucci, Owner of DiBruno Bros;   
•    Mike Traud, Founder of Chef Conference;
•    Ben Fileccia, Senior Vice President | Strategy and Engagement at the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association;
•    Gregorio Fierro, Pizza and Restaurant Consultant, Chef and Master Instructor at Scuola Italiana Pizzaioli. 

The Gelato Festival debuted in Florence, Italy, in 2010, and soon expanded throughout Italy and the rest of Europe. The first North American challenge was held in Colorado in 2017. After more than 80 regional festivals and more than 3,500 gelato artisans participating, the winner of the most recent Gelato Festival was Ádám Fazekas of Budapest, Hungary, with his Frutta di Pistacchio (Pistachio Fruit) gelato in 2021.

Other contestants in the King of Prussia challenge were:

•    Anna Crucitt of Mercurio’s in Pittsburgh (PA) with the flavor “Caramel Coffee Crunch”;
•    Jason Corosanite of Café Vine in Philadelphia (PA) with the flavor “Pineapple Upside Down”; 
•    Michael Mulinix of Mike’s Gelato in Dayton (MD) with the flavor “Lemon Raspberry Crunch”; 
•    Galen Thomas of Cloud Cups in Philadelphia (PA) with the flavor “Blueberry Mascarpone Crumble”; 
•    Kimberly Zanni of Gelato di Babbo in Hummelstown (PA) with the flavor “Strawberry and Champagne”; 
•    Nick Corso of Dolce Vita in Sewell (NJ) with the flavor “Sicilian Cannoli”;
•    Colin Dyckman of Boro Gelato Co in Wilmington (DE) with the flavor “Caramel Macchiato”; 
•    Darin Carminati of Carminati Creamery in Glenside (PA) with the flavor “Campfire Caramel”.