Firenze Gelato Festival 2018 European Final

Friday, Sept. 14 – Sunday, 16: FIRENZE GELATO FESTIVAL 2018 EUROPEAN FINAL. Piazzale Michelangelo. Noon – 8 pm.

Satisfy your sweet tooth at the ninth edition of the European Gelato Festival at Piazzale Michelangelo. A continent-wide tour of gelato artisans and their original flavors, the Gelato Festival comes to a climax with its All-Star competition in Florence this September, during which previous festival winners from 2011 onward will be pitted against each other for the ultimate gelato artist title.

Former gelato champions such as 2017’s Massimiliano Scotti, 2016’s Eugenio Morrone, and 2015’s Paolo Pomposi will return with all-new products and their best creamy creations. For those interested in indulging in taste-testing, Festival spectators can register for the Festival online and cheer on their preferred chefs and favorite flavors, deciding which artists will advance to the next stage.

Together with a panel of culinary specialists, everyday citizens can contribute their votes for the best-tasting and most technically proficient gelato makers. Thanks to the verdict of the judges and judging public, the winner will continue on to the World Masters’ Gelato Festival: an international competition in 2021.

All the finalists will also participate in two more challenges during the event:  creating two new flavors, respectively with Belgian chocolate and craft beer, both donated by sponsors.

The All-Star round of the Gelato Festival begins at noon on Friday, September 14 and comes to a close at 8 pm on Sunday, September 16. Tickets (€10)  are available online. (claire francis)