GELATISSIMO 2020 the largest ice cream fair north of the Alps

The beautifully decorated ice cream display from Joygelato at the GELATISSIMO 2020 - but unfortunately with many additives
The beautifully decorated ice cream display by Joygelato at GELATISSIMO 2020 - but unfortunately with many additives

In Stuttgart the largest ice fair north of the Alps for the sixth time. Why the restriction "north of the Alps"? Because Italy is unbeaten in ice cream production and the trade fairs there have a dimension of their own. However, the GELATISSIMO must Comparison with the Italian trade fairs do not be shy!

This year it was time again. From February 15th to 19th the Ice cream experts. Here you can find out about the latest trends and technical developments, network or simply enjoy being among like-minded people. Everything there is to know about ice cream production in the artisanal business can be found here.

The GELATISSIMO finds every other year takes place and is only for Trade visitors admitted. In 2018 there were 50,000 visitors to the trade show and this year they counted 100,000 (Source: Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre). Of course, we from eis-macher.de do not miss this and were on site to tell you about it.

The ice-cream maker at the GELATISSIMO 2020
The ice-cream maker at the GELATISSIMO 2020

The supporting programme at the GELATISSIMO

I can only pick out spotlights here, because the 5 days are packed with many program points. There were Ice competitions, live shows and demonstrations. Plus a whole hall of exhibitors who will be Products offer. Here you can offer both Accessories, Raw materials and cooling technology marvel. Unfortunately, many of the ready-made products that make it easier for ice cream parlors to produce them often contain additives. How to recognize a really good ice cream parlor, ...who doesn't do this kind of finished product, I'll tell you in one of my other articles.

The Ice professionals Filippo Zampieron, Frederico Maronati and Giorgio Ballabeni were also there and shared their knowledge with us. I will write a separate article about the live show "Vanilla and Vanillin". By the way, a few years ago we took part in an ice cream course at Ballabeni Ice Cream in Munich and were very enthusiastic. Giorgio Ballabeni you just notice his passion for ice cream.

In addition there were Ice contestswhere the best gelati competed against each other. This year the categories were Hazelnut, yoghurt and strawberry. In the end, the expert jury has the quite strenuous task of trying out and evaluating dozens of different variations of one and the same ice cream. Only once in a while there is a break to calm the taste buds.

One of the chests of the competition full of different varieties of strawberry and yoghurt ice cream.
One of the chests of the competition full of different varieties of strawberry and yoghurt ice cream

The trends

I have to say, there were no real surprises now. One big trend that was always and everywhere present was the search for alternative packaging options. There were various degradable cups and ice cream spoons in all sorts of versions. Don't get me wrong. I think it's very important to explore new avenues. Ice cream parlor owners should also be concerned about protecting the environment. There were edible ice cream spoons, for example, or ones made of easily degradable materials. However, the edible spoons were quite hard and we don't even need to start with the taste. Degradable is better then.

The trend is towards ecological food packaging, as shown here by Copy Valls
The trend is towards ecological food packaging, as shown here by Copy Valls

In addition, there were more frequent black ice in different flavours. For example with Coconut or ginger activated carbon was processed into ice. All I can say is that we didn't really like any of the black ice cream.

Black ice cream is very trendy - we were not convinced by its taste
Black ice cream is all the rage - but we weren't convinced by its taste.

It's not new, this black ice cream. Because you can get it in some corners in Germany, too. But you should be aware that carbonated is not synonymous with healthy. The amounts contained in black colored foods have neither a positive nor a negative effect.

Conclusion

It was a real highlight to be able to experience so many different offers and information on the subject of ice cream. It's interesting and fun to stroll through the aisles and try an incredible number of ice cream flavors. Now comes the "but"... however, I was a little disappointed by the lack of creativity in the ice cream industry. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to discover a real highlight for you.

2 comments

  1. Hello,

    I would also like to visit this fair. But I have not (yet) deregistered a trade. How strict is that checked, or is the visit for an ice hobby professional allowed?
    Unfortunately, I have found little on the net about this and would be grateful for a brief feedback.

    Kind regards

    Udo

    1. Hello Udo,

      The following sentence appears at the bottom of the online ticket sales page: "GELATISSIMO is a trade fair. In order to enable exhibitors and visitors to have a professional exchange, attendance at the event is reserved exclusively for trade visitors. We ask for your understanding."

      So basically you don't have to be a trader, but you do have to be a trade visitor. Of course, it is easiest to prove that you are a trader. As far as I remember, this was unproblematic 3 years ago. And as I noticed it at the fair around me, they were not all tradesmen and not necessarily trade visitors, even if most of them somehow came from the gastronomy sector.

      At that time, the only thing they checked on site at the entrance was whether you had a ticket. That can be different now. If you'd like to visit Gelatissimo, I guess you'll have to jump in at the deep end and give it a try. Or you can wait for the next show in two years when you have your trade. That would probably be the safer option.

      I wish you the best of luck and I'll be happy to report back on what came of your visit to Gelatissimo! 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

en_USEnglish