Gelato Day 2024: Gaufre de Liège Is the Flavour of the Year
The twelfth European Artisanal Gelato Day was celebrated on 24 March 2024, with Belgium’s Gaufre de Liège chosen as the Flavour of the Year.
The 2024 flavour
Promoted by Longarone Fiere Dolomiti and Artglace, the day honours artisan gelato and the craft knowledge behind it, with events, meetings and initiatives for gelato fans of all ages across Italy and Europe. In 2024, cones and cups featured Gaufre de Liège: a neutral-base gelato flavoured with vanilla and cinnamon, variegated with salted butter and served with a waffle. Gelato shops offered it in the original recipe or in creative variations.
Partners and supporters
Dozens of gelato shops took part, starting with those in Gambero Rosso’s Gelaterie d’Italia guide, which renewed its partnership. Other partners included the Italian Gelato Association and its “Gelato in Spring” event, running since 1986 to offer gelato to primary and nursery school children. ConGelato supported Gelato Day during the second Milan Gelato Week, scheduled for 10 to 14 April 2024. Further supporters included the National Confederation of Craftsmanship, ACOMAG (the national association of gelato machine, furniture and equipment makers), CNA, the Campania Gelato Makers Committee, Conpait Gelato, the Italian Gelato Federation, G.A., G.A.T., Ilgelatoartigianale.info, Masters of Italian Gelato and Sigep, the international exhibition for gelato, pastry, artisan bakery and coffee by Italian Exhibition Group.
The video contest
For the third year, Artglace invited gelato makers across Europe to open their workshops and enter a video contest on the Flavour of the Year. Entries were videos of up to 90 seconds showing the making of Gaufre de Liège with the ingredients in the official recipe. Entry was free for European gelato makers and ran from 1 March to 30 October 2024.
An expert panel scores entries on presentation originality, video quality, how well the production process is shown, and the flavour, looks and decoration of the container. The top three makers will be honoured at the thirteenth Gelato Day presentation at Rimini Fiera during Sigep 2025. Every video is also published on the Gelato Day YouTube channel. Full details are on the Gelato Day website.
Carpigiani Gelato University’s take
Carpigiani Gelato University joined in with its own reinterpretation of Gaufre de Liège, prepared by Maestro Gelatiere Andrea Bandiera, who holds 3 Gambero Rosso Cones. It was presented in a free live video lesson on 8 March at 12 PM.
What this means for gelato makers in Australia
A Flavour of the Year is a great reason to try something new on your counter. Majors Group can help you build the skills through Carpigiani Gelato University, and the right gelato machine makes consistent batches easier in Australia.
Carpigiani in Australia — Majors Group
Majors Group is the official Carpigiani distributor in Australia: machines, Rubicone ingredients, ISA cabinets, Techfrost blast freezers, packaging, Carpigiani Gelato University training, finance and a national service team.
Source: Carpigiani news. Rewritten for Australia by Majors Group.