Stacie Overton Johnson
If you love gelato - and let's be honest, who doesn't? - then gather up the family to try some surprising new flavours during the Gelato World Tour's stop in Dubai. Dubai is the only city in the Middle East to host the tour - a three-day event that starts on February 13.
Achille Sassoli, the director of the Gelato World Tour, says Dubai is a perfect destination for the tour. "We think it's the best spot in the Middle East to get attention. There's no better place than Dubai to do this," says the Italian.
Sixteen gelato artisans from around the Middle East will create one signature flavour for the event. Mana Al Suwaidi, the chairman of Franchise Middle East, says: "One of the main goals of the tour in Dubai is to bring new flavours that haven't been tried before. There will be gelato made from local ingredients like dates and herbs."
Among the featured flavours are rose pistachio, saffron pista, mastaca with pistachio, Arabian dates with caramelised walnuts and Tanzanian coffee with coconut and cream caramel.
"The UAE has the highest number of gelato shops in the Middle East," says Al Suwaidi - a fact that's reflected in the contestants. Of the gelato artisans competing, eight are from the UAE. The remaining are from Tanzania, Jordan, Qatar, Lebanon, Bahrain, India and Saudi Arabia.
Sassoli says what's needed to make the best gelato are "the best ingredients and a lot of passion from the artisan. It's very simple". But he's quick to point out, "The chef is not the winner. The gelato is the winner."
Entrance to the Gelato World Tour Village is free. There will be free gelato classes, workshops on the history of gelato, games and contests. The public can also watch as the artisans whip up their signature gelato on site. Visitors can purchase a gelato ticket for Dh60, which entitles them to two cups of gelato, three additional gelato samples and the chance to vote for the best gelato.
The winners from each of the eight cities on the worldwide tour will travel to Rimini, Italy, in September to compete in the finale.
Al Suwaidi expects the Dubai leg of the tour to be a huge success. "It's a happy product. Families, kids . everyone enjoys a cup of gelato."
artslife@thenational.ae
. The Gelato World Tour runs from February 13 to 15, 2pm to midnight, at Burj Park, Downtown Dubai. For more information, visit www.gelatoworldtour.com
Dubai leg of Gelato World Tour gives a taste of the cream of the crop
All you need to know about the Gelato World Tour. Dubai is the only city in the Middle East to host the tour - a three-day event that starts on Thursday.
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