Rome, March 15, 2023 – The 2023 season of artisan gelato is officially open: this morning, a press conference was held at Casa dell'Aviatore in Rome to announce the events and initiatives surrounding one of the world’s most beloved food products, including the 35th edition of Gelato in Spring, the XI European Artisan Gelato Day on March 24, and an afternoon meeting between the industry and government representatives.
Major Events and Celebrations Across Italy and Europe
Presented by Artglace, the Confederation of Artisan Gelato Associations of the European Community, the Italian Gelato Association, and other key partners, a variety of initiatives will animate Italy and Europe for European Artisan Gelato Day with a focus on taste, solidarity, and culture.
- Gelato in Spring, a tradition since 1986, kicks off the season with gelato makers across Italy offering gelato to elementary and nursery school students. From March 16–18, Italian institutions will be involved, offering tasting of local flavors, followed by school activities from April 18–22, where children can receive a coupon for a free gelato at participating gelato shops.
- The Gelato Day preview will begin on March 22, with an event hosted by Europarliamentarian Simona Baldassarre at the European Parliament in Brussels. The day will continue with a press conference in Liège organized by the ARAGF Gelato Makers Association, featuring the Flavor of the Year: Apfelstrudel Gelato.
- On March 23, Venice will host a special celebration at Hotel Ca’ Sagredo, with the Veneto Region and VenicePromex, awarding the historic Venetian Gelaterie. A light lunch will follow, showcasing Apfelstrudel Gelato.
The Apfelstrudel Gelato Takes Center Stage
On March 24, the 11th European Artisan Gelato Day, Apfelstrudel Gelato – chosen by Austria as the Flavor of the Year – will be available at participating gelaterias across Italy and Europe. This special flavor will be offered in its original recipe or in creative variants. Gambero Rosso’s 2023 Guide to Gelaterie d’Italia will also feature the award-winning gelato shops.
The celebration will be supported by prestigious associations such as the Academy of Gelato “Contaminated Stars”, “Italian Gelato Masters”, “The Magnificent Gelato Makers”, and more. Several gelaterias will also host cultural and solidarity-driven initiatives. For example, Confartigianato Friuli-Venezia Giulia will offer free Apfelstrudel Gelato to around 400 patients and their families at the CRO - Cancer Research Center in Aviano on March 24, accompanied by music and poetry.
High Altitude Gelato Day
On March 26, Gelato Day will reach altitude, as the event will take place at 2,475 meters above sea level at Capanna Ra Valles. The initiative, in collaboration with the Tofana Cortina Freccia nel Cielo and Gelato Veneto, will allow tourists to enjoy traditional and innovative gelato varieties against the stunning backdrop of the snow-capped mountains.
International Celebrations and More
The celebrations continue internationally with events like:
- April 17: Vienna, at the Italian Embassy, will host the Apfelstrudel Gelato presentation, showcasing the gelato made with traditional equipment.
- May 23: During the Sport Festival in Agropoli, the Campania Gelato Makers Committee will organize “Gelato on the Field for Solidarity”, benefiting the Orizzonte Onlus Association.
- June 2: During Italy’s National Day, Apfelstrudel Gelato will be served at the Italian Embassy in Berlin.
Gelato in Cinema and Education
Artisan gelato will also hit the big screen. A film featuring Domenico Belmonte, President of Artglace, will be screened from late March to August 2023, later airing on Mediaset.
Moreover, from March 1 to October 31, informative courses on the gelato production process, blending theory and practice, will be led by food technologists and experienced gelato masters. Upon completing the courses, participants will anonymously respond to a survey on food trends among younger generations.
Strengthening the Gelato Industry with Institutions
In the afternoon of March 15, the gelato industry representatives met with Italian institutions to discuss the importance of the artisan gelato supply chain. Topics such as supporting international Made in Italy, establishing a ministerial task force for artisan gelato, and promoting education and training in culinary schools were addressed.
Domenico Belmonte, President of Artglace, expressed his enthusiasm for the 2023 artisan gelato season, highlighting the growth of the sector both in Italy and abroad.
Claudio Pica, Secretary General of the Italian Gelato Association, emphasized the importance of initiatives like Gelato Day and Gelato in Spring, which promote Italian excellence worldwide.