Dordrecht Gelato Festival Challenge: Guilty Pleasure and Homemade Win

The Gelato Festival Challenge visited Dordrecht on 7 February 2019, where 25 Dutch gelato artisans took part. It was hosted by Carpigiani Benelux at Horeca Expo Dordrecht 2019, the biggest Dutch professional fair for the catering industry.

The winning flavours

• “Guilty Pleasure” by Stefan Beerens of Pavarotti Dolce in Leidschendam. A bold mix of white chocolate apple, peach and rich caramel, it seemed over the top but won over the judges.
• “Homemade” by Paul Wilderink of Ijssalon Paul Wilderink in Haaksbergen. It was inspired by a homemade mint cheesecake with cooked pears folded through.

Both go on to the Carpigiani International Day, the European Finals of the Gelato Festival in Italy in 2020, for a chance to represent Europe at the 2021 World Final. Entries were judged on flavour, structure, creativity and presentation, looking at ingredient choice, recipe craft and visual impact.

Next Generation prize

The jury also gave the “Next Generation” prize to the best artisan under 30. It went to “Apricot & Almond Pie” by Steff Janssen of Ijssalon Florence in Nederweert, who balanced fruit and nut flavours well. He will compete in the Next Generation Finale in Florence in 2019, where the best under-30 artisan will earn a place in the Gelato Festival World Masters 2021 final.

The jury

• Dr Bob Frie, a Maestro Gelato Chef in the Netherlands.
• Dr Jan Boeren, chairman and owner of Le Cuisinier, a knowledge platform for chefs.
• Marlies Idema, a chef with Cuisine Culinary Netherlands (CCN) and a board member of Cuisine Culinary Zaanstad, experienced in CCN exams and competitions, with a focus on taste balance and texture.
• The manager of IJscentrum, the leading Dutch-language frozen dessert magazine in the Netherlands.

About the Gelato Festival

The festival debuted in Florence in 2010, inspired by Bernardo Buontalenti’s first gelato recipe of 1559. It has spread artisan gelato culture for nine years, first across Italy, then Europe and, since 2017, the United States, on the road to the Gelato Festival World Masters 2021.

What this means for gelato makers in Australia

Inventive flavours start with solid technique. Majors Group offers Carpigiani Gelato University training and artisan gelato machines to help you develop your own signature flavours.

Source: Carpigiani news. Rewritten for Australia by Majors Group.