On 17 September 2019, Gelato Festival announced its arrival in West Hollywood, a district known for its mix of fashion, art, architecture, dining and nightlife. The festival was set for the plaza of the Pacific Design Center on 28 and 29 September, as the first LA-based stage and the final American round of the 2019 competitions.
What was on offer
Chefs competed to impress both a professional tasting panel and the thousands of fans voting for their favourite gelato. The festival ran from 11 am to 7 pm with live entertainment, art and an exhibition tent of some of LA’s finest restaurants. Competing flavours included Mexican Chocolate with sweet mole and cacahuate, Strawberry Herbal Sorbet, Pineapple Butter Gelato and a Mangonada with chamoy sauce and tajin spices.
Tickets were sold through gelatofestival.com, with a portion of proceeds going to Charity Partner Project Angel Food. The Los Angeles charity cooks and delivers over 600,000 nutritious meals each year, free of charge, to people affected by life-threatening illnesses. Marking its 30th year in 2019, it has served over 12 million meals to more than 20,000 people.
A short history of Italian gelato
In cities such as Florence and Rome, authentic gelato is sold on almost every corner. Tradition says its roots go back to 1559, when the Medici family asked the artist and architect Bernardo Buontalenti to prepare a lavish feast for the visiting king of Spain. For the occasion he created a frozen dessert from simple ingredients such as milk, eggs and honey, and Buontalenti is remembered as the inventor of gelato. To learn more, visit the Gelato Festival Flagship Store in West Hollywood or the Gelato Museum in Bologna, Italy.
What this means for gelato makers in New Zealand
Gelato Festival shows how much appetite there is for authentic gelato wherever it is served well. If you are thinking about opening a shop, our gelato shop guide covers the steps, and Carpigiani machines from Majors Group are the equipment behind many of the world’s best gelaterie.
Carpigiani in New Zealand — Majors Group
Majors Group is the official Carpigiani distributor in New Zealand: machines, Rubicone ingredients, ISA cabinets, Techfrost blast freezers, packaging, Carpigiani Gelato University training, finance and local service.
Source: Carpigiani news. Rewritten for New Zealand by Majors Group.
