Salute 2014!

Toast 2014 with Italian flair.  “Bubbly”, “champs”, “bubs”, pop media dubs champagne numerous coined phrases, chose the preferred reference and know a delectable addition is welcomed in the flute.  Gelato and sorbetto mini scoops drenched in prosecco (Italian similar bubbly) bring true taste to cheers with this New Year's Eve.  

Celebrating with extra special beverages contributes to decor and creates a magical element to the evening on NYE.  A supreme version of the cocktail named “Sunset Bubbly” is made by combining blood orange sorbetto with prosecco turning into a beautiful, refreshing, and unique drink both ideal and palatable for serving to any crowd.  Mario Batali creates an intriguing (thick) version  “Pomegranate Prosecco Gelatina”, a recipe that works well with any berry sorbetto with colors spot on for a holiday vibe.  

The variations are endless and stupendous, but in order to avoid having to narrow down the selection consider creating a punch bowl with multiple flavor scoops.  Arranging a self-serve bubbly bar is an excellent option for guests to create their own version and to present the same array to those refraining from spirits during the evening.  Place sparkling grape juice, water, or cider aside the prosecco for a spot on way to include all at the celebration.  

Ringing in the New Year holds tradition.  Parties vary from the utmost lavish to banging pots and pans in the kitchen with the family.  Enjoying a decadent beverage is deemed celebration worthy of any style of festivities lined up.  Regardless of plans this New Year’s Eve, toasting with a gelato/sorbetto induced luxury beverage is quite the means to embrace a sparkling outlook for 2014.  Salute 2014!

photo credit: Bon Appetit

What Hors d'oeuvres do you serve on NYE that pair well with champagne/prosecco?  

Gift Certificates with Glee

Dull, thoughtless, uneventful… not exactly the message most would wish for a present to convey.  Let’s face it, gift certificates get a bad rap. While plain gift giving does happen and can be defended in some cases, spread the revamped view for giving and receiving gift cards that spread joy this season.  Gift certificates can be worthy of the most important people on this year’s list. 

In certain instances, a generic gift card is exactly the right choice.  A teacher moving into a new home (large housewares store), to donate for a charity raffle, and for corporate gift exchanges with a required minimum cost, are all suitable for gift certificates.  There is an overtone when handed to family or close friends: the gift is seemingly inadequate, as if the time was not spent to find something better.   But the truth is, giving a gift certificate can actually be one of the best presents of the holiday.  It is the ticket to ensuring a person gets exactly what they want, a vessel for an experience one may not spend money on themselves to try, or a way to share with family and friends personal favorites courtesy of the giver.

Photo credit: NY Times

People living away from family, particularly in a desirable destination, can entice loved ones to book travel plans to visit during 2014. To do so, send  gift certificates for a favorite restaurant, gelato shop, and activities to do in order to rally visitors to come stay and enjoy the family from out-of-town.  The opposite is just as thoughtful, sending a gift card for the newly opened buzz worthy spot such as a cheese shop, seafood store, or cafe in the town the person receiving resides.   An adventure gift ticket, such as paddle boarding, golf lessons, or an extreme race challenge brings people together to try something new or to share a skilled hobby with those novice.

Presentation is key as well, outline the thought process behind the gift. Savvy packages and careful displays will depict the meaning behind the holiday season and the joy of giving. Wow factors can include attaching travel incentive gift cards to a map of the location, placing a gelato gift certificate among a stocking filled with luxurious goodies, and wrapping the big adventure ticket in the largest box in house.

Gift certificates are amazing presents that carry an enormous potential to spread happiness this season and into the new year.  

What is a favorite gift certificate you are giving this year?

Scoop Some Happiness to loved ones, ‘tis the season. $5 for $10 gift certificates at Pino Gelato through December 31, 2013 at HHI store only.  

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception Sunday December 8 has been honored in Rome by Pope Francis visiting Piazza di Spagna to pray, in tradition, before the statue of Mary. During the celebration of the Marian Feast, a Holy Day of obligation for Catholics and a national holiday in Italy, Pope Francis included Mother Mary in his Sunday Angelus by saying to all in St. Peter’s square, “On this feast day, then, contemplating our Immaculate Mother, we also recognize our true destiny, our deepest vocation: to be loved, to be transformed by love.” Pope Francis states in his message the Immaculate Conception of Mother Mary "...is the fruit of God's love which saves the world."

Mary with willingness to become the Mother of God is considered to be, “Full of Grace”, was free of Original Sin since the moment of her conception and remained sinless her entire life.  Former Popes have traveled to pray before the monument of Mary, dated December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX officially declared the Immaculate Conception a dogma of the Church.  

Pope Francis 

Pope Francis went on to visit with particular crowd attendees according to Vatican Radio, as he called on those present just moments before to, “never be indifferent to the cry of the poor, the sick, the elderly, of children, and every human life.” The month of December hosts a multitude of holy days of obligation in the Catholic church.  The religious days of Advent before Christmas are full of joy and love of the Virgin Mary.  In Italy, most shops will remain open since this feast day did not fall during the business week.  Pope Francis concluded his message today with a wish for all to have a good lunch.

Gelato on Top

A la gelato for the holidays! Thanksgiving and pies are synonymous, the innovation presented by mixing traditional with ingenuity are countless, delicious, and often served a la mode.  Elevate the after dinner experience by topping pies with gelato.  

The decadence of a slice of pie adorned with the more intense flavor gelato provides above other frozen desserts, will dazzle friends and family delighted to taste- even after the turkey overload. Pairing suggestions are truly limitless; presented below is a list of arrangements for seasonal, traditional, and even painstakingly overlooked gelato flavors and favorite pies that jibe.  

Truly advantageous bakers can begin preparation for insurmountable combinations, yet even in simple form authentic gelato is certain to ignite ‘dessert-time’ this year. 'Tis the season to Scoop Some Happiness.

Warm wishes (and pie) for a Happy Thanksgiving!

Top ‘em!

Sea Salt Caramel Gelato-

Salted Caramel-Chocolate Pecan Pie (recipe Southern Living)

Chocolate Bourbon Tart
photo credit Food and Wine

Chocolate Bourbon Tart (recipe Food & Wine)

Cinnamon Gelato-

Apple Pie with Spiced Apple-Caramel Sauce (recipe Bon Appetit)

-vanilla gelato is completely acceptable with apple varieties.

Sweet Potato Pie

Chocolate Gelato-

Malted Walnut Pie (recipe Bon Appetit)

Pumpkin Pie

Pistachio Gelato-

Butterscotch Mousse Pie (recipe Food & Wine)

Cherry Pie

Raspberry Swirl Gelato-

'Impossible Pie' (Coconut) (recipe Food & Wine: Jennifer Nettles)

Triple Berry Pie

photo credit
CupcakesandCashmere.com

What is your favorite Thanksgiving pie?  Gelato flavor to top it with?  

Thanksgiving & Game Day Fare

Avid football fans, elevate the game day experience with a harvest chow down.  Turkey tailgates and enticing food arrays will elicit enjoyment during the game from the most discerning in the crowd to the non-sports enthused.  Incorporate traditional holiday fixings to create the ideal atmosphere for the ultimate in football fare.

Turkey & Football unite via sliders

Turn up the heat on the barbecue, the turkey is here.  Football and Thanksgiving have long paired up, over the next two weekends revel in the combinations of game day and grub.  Stadium tailgating will no doubt showcase the trend of football turkey- inclusive of grilled up drumsticks, but at home viewers can set up in the same fashion.  Pulled turkey sliders displayed with a toppings station of fresh cranberry sauce, gravy, and stuffing is a simple, creative, and tasty spin on a commonly reinvented offering.  No to mention the grab and go style is conducive to spectators not wishing to miss a play.  

The specialties of the season provide numerous recipes to delight guests with a twist on the ordinary.  Sweet potatoes used for potato skins in this recipe are a hit, follow the directions but feel free to try out favorite cheese and toppings of choice.  To amend standard antipasti spreads to adhere to the theme, stack figs wrapped in prosciutto, mozzarella, and roasted squash for skewers that reach a new level entirely. Putting leftovers to use for feeding a crowd is easy, this pizza holds it’s toppings and for an early game time create a quiche with the Thanksgiving extras.

Sweet potato skins. Photo credit: www.marthastewart.com

Sweets are a welcomed must for entertaining, even in a crowded parking lot dessert can be done well.  Handheld mini pies, assorted pastries, and cookies with fall season flair (think cinnamon, pumpkin, and nuts) will satiate the sweet tooth and wake up those impaired by a food coma.  It may even be appropriate to whip up the first batch of eggnog of the season, add a scoop of gelato to serve a seriously delectable version.

Thanksgiving-fueled menu options perfect what game day parties are all about.  Utilize seasonal culinary trends to rally the fans and their taste buds.  Food, football, and family unite this time of year... dig in!

Make A Difference Day 2013

The little things mean much more than realized. American Essayist and Poet Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) summed up a fantastic way to live, a message still applicable on this very day, “To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”

On National Make A Difference Day Saturday, October 26, 2013 millions of volunteers will unite to improve the lives of others in their communities on the largest national day of community service.  Thousands of projects in all different scales from small groups of individuals to entire states take on problems they see in the community and accomplish a solution.  USA Weekend Magazine and Points of Light have teamed up for more than 20 years to sponsor Make A Difference Day along with other organizations that recognize the power of inspired people serving their communities.  The Make A Difference Day website allows anybody to register  their project to raise awareness and accrue volunteers, there is also a search engine for projects within the total mile radius of the entered zip code to find places to volunteer on Saturday.  Projects include fixing up city gardens, packaging at food banks, and cleaning/repairing community centers.  Regardless of the project size registration on the Make A Difference Day DAYtaBank submits the project for consideration to receive a $10,000 donation from Newman’s Own.  

It is not too late to create a project and many are still in need of volunteers.  Begin a new tradition with family, friends, or coworkers and dedicate time to serve the community, one day of volunteering can spark a habit of it.  Children learn from the actions of adults, family friendly projects will engage the awareness of children and involve them to aid in successfully improving their community while shaping their path toward future volunteering. The children may ask to do more, luckily the upcoming holiday season provides numerous opportunities, but engaging in service all year long and striving to Make A Difference each and every day is the true goal and inspiration of the mission.

The little things count, start by smiling and making eye contact with people. Trends have occurred recently including an anonymous person buying coffee for everyone that comes in that day, or grand restaurant tippers, and the more infamous random act of kindness when a homeless man turned in a lost bag filled with over $50,000 cash only to have inspired the do-well in another gentleman that set up a website to donate funds to the homeless man; he is now worth over $100,000. Go ahead, create a trend and raise awareness to make someone's life a little happier in any capacity it is worth it. The cycle should never end, people will always remember the way another made them feel. Make A Difference Day certainly calls to us nationwide to join our neighbors helping others and our communities, it could be contagious.

What project will you participate in for Make A Difference Day this Saturday, October 26, 2013?  

Come share a Scoop of Happiness with us and other volunteers at Pino Gelato after your project!

Gelato for PAWS! World Animal Day Unites the Cause.

CEO, Ramona Fantini at #StrutYourMutt

World Animal Day was observed on October 4, 2013 this year for celebration by animal lovers from many nations for all types of animals of the world.  The date of World Animal Day is special to us because of the Italian roots beginning in Florence, Italy.  October 4 was chosen years ago because it is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.  Pino Gelato celebrates all things Italy, but breathes all things animals!

Pino Gelato's frozen doggie treats are a hit with every pup!
We will have plenty on hand this Saturday during "Gelato for Paws". 

Our event  "Gelato for Paws" is being held this Saturday, October 12, 2013 just in the wake of World Animal Day.  Join us at our 1st Animal Rescue Fundraiser with information booths and adoptable animals.  There will be FREE activities, contests, and food samples.  Our frozen all natural dog treats are made with all natural plain yogurt, peanut butter, honey, and bananas.  They are a huge hit! All proceeds from our first annual "Gelato for Paws" event will be donated to: Hilton Head Humane Association, Noah's Arks Rescue, Palmetto Animal League, Maranatha Farm Animal Rescue and more local animal welfare advocates.  



Pino Gelato supports five animal rescue charities with monthly donations, adding a new one annually. We appreciate the contributions from our fans, staff, and community that all help us make a difference.  Many corporations have boarded the boat in helping animal rescue organizations, our hope is to continue the momentum and engage all opportunities to raise funds for our cause.   Participation in Best Friends rally #StrutYourMutt is a popular event bringing fun for animal advocates all over the nation!  Keep in mind, October is National Adopt-a-dog month! Find out more information at this americanhumane.org link. Tails are wagging, frozen treats are cooling the crowd, and their pups, "Gelato for Paws" is going to be awesome! 

"Gelato for Paws" is a first for Pino Gelato, share your tips with us!  Have you been part of a successful fundraiser for animal rescue? Why was it a success?

"Gelato for Paws" preview event!

Happiness and Literacy

"We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once," Friedrich Nietzsche.  The celebrated German philosopher has provided words to live by in multiple renowned quotes, the above can be applied true of literacy as well.  In recognition for September as International Literacy Month the author’s quote has a true sentiment when altered to profess the joy of reading, “… on which we have not read or been read to at least once”, I believe Nietzsche would agree. 

The future of reading and literacy should be bound to celebration promoting literacy through favorite authors, books, and community events to aid in improvement.  A fantastic program to become a volunteer tutor for students and adults with low literacy skills, this month serves as an excellent reminder to share reading with family, friends, and the community.  The National Book Festival is held on the National Mall in Washington DC by the Library of Congress, with a previous theme “Celebrating the joys of reading aloud” that resonates with our passion for literacy.  Either idea can be recreated in even the smallest of towns, promote literacy and revel in the imagination stirring in the young mind of a child, or in the advancement in workplace of the low-literate adult having progress.

As a company that gives back interaction with our local, national, and world communities’ start with being literate.  Gelato is here to come and enjoy in an authentic Italian experience, a place to convene in happiness as a family.   In this month of International Literacy, let us try to make the same experience of reading, aloud in happiness to children, to educate ourselves further, or to teach others, share the focus of spreading literacy in a compassionate way.

In September appropriately marks festivals in Italy celebrating the birthday of Juliet from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.  Re-read that for starters! What is your favorite classic book or play? 

For more information the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization supplies facts and actions regarding global literacy. UNESCO is at the forefront of global literacy efforts and is dedicated to keeping literacy high on national, regional and international agendas.

Raspberry Swirls

A perfectly plump treat.  Perhaps, more so than any of the other berries, the raspberry is the top berry to adore.  Delectable, decadent, and sweet raspberries have an air of them enabling a transition to inhabit any dessert one graces. Raspberries should be used more often than they are, it is time for top billing of the berry sort.  

Raspberries are the absolute best for the most particular, gorgeous shade of (natural) dye for pink icing. Simply warm them in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove top and gently press and strain the juice from the berries. Use the same approach for a gorgeous addition of color and flavor to any favorite drink.  

The raspberry has been gracing the marquee of the health industry for the hefty benefits it contains.  Beyond being near top of the list of power packed fruits, having a wide range of minerals and vitamins, and claims of lower risk for obesity this small fruit contains a ton of antioxidants.  Certainly enough information to justify any dessert that includes the healthy raspberry.  

A bit of an homage to the Raspberry Swirl gelato flavor gracing our case, and to all things this wonderful berry turns to complete joy... engage with our Raspberry Swirls Pinterest board open to public pinning for all things raspberry hued.  Celebrate the color, the fruit, and the recipes along with the bevy of happiness the raspberry produces.  

Please, add your raspberry themed pins to our delight!