UAE and Bahrain-based gelato artisans win big

Three UAE-based and one Bahrain-based gelato artisan have won in the Middle Eastern leg of the Gelato World Tour and have won a spot in the grand finale in Rimini, Italy, that will crown the best gelato in the world.

The first place went to Cremo Bueno, made by the gelato artisan Joselito Reyes of the gelato shop Cremolata in Sharjah, UAE. Reyes also won the “Cookies® Best Taster” contest in which participants had to correctly identify the ingredients in a blind gelato-taste test.

Second place went to Rose Pistachio, made by the gelato artisan Ahmed Abdullatif from Dolci Desideri, which is based in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He also won the “IFI Tonda Challenge” where participants had to prepare two “perfect cups” weighing 60 grams each.

In thid place was Pistacchio Italiano con croccante di mandorla, made by the gelato artisans Claudio Bearesi & Cesare Cellie of the gelato shop Bacio Gelato from Dubai.

However in a surprise twist, one more gelato maker joined the line-up of finalists. 

As requested by the president of the technical jury, Armani Hotel Dubai executive chef Emiliano Bernasconi, the “Royal Baklava”, made by Cone Street Dubai's Andrea Grandville was judged the best by the technical jury, so it will also compete at the Grand Finale in Rimini in September 2014.

For the first time in Dubai it was the public who voted; the final standings were based 50% on the public’s votes and 50% on the technical jury’s votes.

The Gelato World Tour was organised by Carpigiani Gelato University and Sigep-Rimini Fiera, in collaboration with IFI and MEC3 and in association with Franchise Middle East and DESITA, as well as media partner SAHARA Communications.