THE CURTAIN RISES ON THE ELEVENTH EDITION OF EUROPEAN ARTISANAL GELATO DAY, WHICH TAKES PLACE EVERY YEAR ON THE 24 th MARCH: FLAVOUR OF THE YEAR 2023 IS APFELSTRUDEL, SELECTED BY AUSTRIA AT THE 62ND MIG IN LONGARONE, THE WINNERS WERE ANNOUNCED OF ARTGLACE’S 2022 VIDEO CONTEST, FEATURING EUROPE’S FINEST GELATO-MAKERS.
A treat which brings the whole of Europe together, hand-made gelato has, since 2012, been the only foodstuff to which the European Parliament has ever given its own day. For the eleventh time, the 24th March will see the sector celebrate European Artisanal Gelato Day, an unmissable event that everyone is looking forward to, putting on a whole host of festivities, including events and happenings, to the sound of cones and tubs, aiming to promote craft flavours, with all of their genuine quality and local character, and to support the fine Italian tradition of hand-made gelato.
FLAVOUR OF THE YEAR 2023
One of the stand-out features of Gelato Day is its Flavour of the Year, chosen each year by one of the countries taking part. Last year, to celebrate the tenth anniversary, saw a break with tradition, with the recipe for Flavour of the Year, Dolce Sinfonia, being decided by a special competition between gelato-makers from across Europe, held by Artglace together with Longarone Fiere Dolomiti and the Italian Exhibition Group (IEG). So, after Mantecado – chosen by Spain in 2021 – the Flavour of the Year at the 2023 European Artisanal Gelato Day will be Apfelstrudel, chosen by Austria: a white base to which is added apple pulp, flavoured with rum and lemon oil. The other characteristic ingredients of Apfelstrudel are a sprinkling of cinnamon, raisins and finally breadcrumbs. The undisputed flavour of 2023 will therefore be the time-honoured and much-loved strudel, a homage to a dessert that is a symbol of Austria and highly prized far beyond its borders. On 24 March, it will be served in all gelato parlours participating in the Day, either in its original version using the official recipe or creatively revisited by master gelato makers across Europe using local ingredients and inspirations.
GELATO DAY AT THE 62ND MIG IN LONGARONE
The first date for the 2023 edition of Gelato Day will be taking place at Longarone Fiere Dolomiti – which officially became Artglace’s new headquarters after Paris – at the 62nd MIG – International Exhibition of Hand-made Gelato. Here, as well as being able to sample a sneak preview of the Flavour of the Year, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy the first edition of the “Challenge between Nations”, an event held by Artglace to showcase the typical gelato creations of each participating country, with Austria taking on Germany in a battle of flavours where quality, creativity and craftsmanship will win out. And that’s not all: during the event dedicated to the art of gelato making, Artglace announced the winners of the second edition of the video contest that in recent months put master gelato-makers from all over Europe to the test: indeed, the gelato artisans competed to make a video overflowing with flair and creativity describing the creation of Dolce Sinfonia, the 2022 Flavour of the Year. Dozens of videos came in from Europe’s finest gelato chefs (as well as from across the Atlantic), with the medal winners being Silvia Chirico from Tenuta Chirico (Ascea, near Salerno), Kairet Denis from Place Docteur Jacques Anthee (Onhaye, Belgium), Maria Chiara Sanna from L’arte del gelato (Anzio, near Rome). The ranking was decided by the Technical Panel, made up of five members drawn from professionals and experts in the hand-made gelato supply chain, who judged the videos on the basis of four parameters: originality of the presentation, quality of the video, illustration of the Dolce Sinfonia production process, and finally the appeal and decoration of the tub. The winners will be presented with their prizes at SIGEP – The Dolce World Expo to be held from 21 to 25 January 2023 at the Rimini Trade Fair.
“After two years of restrictions, 2022, helped by the mild temperatures that lasted for most of the autumn, was a very important year for the resurgence of the entire hand-made gelato supply chain. But, what with the war in Ukraine and the huge increases in energy and raw materials prices, 2022
is also a year marked by new challenges, which our master gelato makers continue to face with great resilience and an inexhaustible desire to take action and put themselves to the test. – remarks Artglace Chairman Domenico Belmonte. – That is why we are looking ahead to 2023 with
optimism, lifting the curtain on a new edition of European Artisanal Gelato Day and inviting all gelato makers in Europe to join us in promoting and celebrating, united as ever, the outstanding quality of hand-made gelato”.