Gelato, A Culinary Art Trend

                                         Credit: Helen Rosner

Basil, Parmesan, and scrambled egg… far from typical gelato flavors, these wacky creations are appearing on menus across the world.  The pioneers of the exotic gelato trend are forerunners to note during July’s National Culinary Arts Month celebrations.  Veering from the course of traditional and pushing culinary limits are highlighted features of honoring Culinary Arts Month, and there certainly is a bundle of it out there to explore in the gelato industry.  Gelato has lent acquiescence to five star dining, breakfast, and hangover cures in the limelight of sweeping food trends. 

For the sophisticated palate the fine dining appearance of gelato is becoming increasingly more common.  The cold treat makes a nice pairing in local produce flavors, such as basil, tomato, and jalapeno when plated with a simple dish, such as a mozzarella salad.  Snap that theory into reverse and the gelato can take on the cheese role with flavors ranging from Parmesan to ricotta and served with roasted vegetables and a balsamic and olive oil drizzle. Steamroll: gelato actually does indeed come in both balsamic and olive oil flavors as well.  Do not hesitate to try these atypical flavors, the result in any which way presented, is a true culinary delight. 

"Heaven"

Bring on the bacon! Salted buttered caramel bacon gelato is described as “Heaven” in the recipe title on Chef Tom’s Blog; he created this dream come true.  A London gelato shop has delved into the breakfast scope of gelato with scrambled egg, Blood Mary (apparently gelato is recommended as a hangover cure), and with adaptations of breakfast cereals and staples such as French toast and pancakes. Some forward thinking bartenders have infused gelato with different spirits and liqueurs to capitalize on the presence of the buzz gelato brings to a (drink) menu.  The fact that gelato has been validated to be eaten first thing of the day or used for a ‘cheers’ by a group of friends, sounds like complete culinary achievement.

Be on the look out for the evolving and limitless trends and celebrations of gelato particularly this month in the realm of culinary achievement.  Be sure to explore local communities, National Culinary Arts Month brings special menus, superior creations, and an advantageous opportunity to explore food trends. Enjoy the traditional but revel in the delectable art of the gelato trends, for breakfast anyone?  

What is the most outlandish gelato flavor you have ever tried?

Gelato for Weddings

Excitement, love, and happiness are quickly followed by the momentous undertaking of arrangements for "The Big Day". After the holidays concurrent with the peak engagement season have passed, the wedding planning must begin. Thread the bubble of love throughout planning all the way to the guests present on that special Wedding day and share A Scoop of Happiness with them by way of gelato.

 

At a spectacular New England wedding weekend last year featured was a pizza truck slinging individual pies to guests after a backyard welcome party/rehearsal dinner. While this highlighted the evening celebration and ultimately extended festivities well into the morning, noted missing: something sweet was in order as well. Pino Gelato offers gelato carts that would be a major hit in similarly structured pre-wedding events. A gelato cart would be ideal for a rehearsal dinner's more casual fare treating those closest to the couple and/or welcoming guests whom traveled long distances while typically working to set the vibe for the duration of the wedding's activities. The rich, creamy texture and endless flavors of gelato would certainly set the bar high and provide a welcome smile to all. The gelato cart would be a stellar ensemble to stations at any type of wedding, itself being completely customizable. The cart option is completely surreal for any child attendee, yet also the perfect treat to capture the playfulness in guests of any age group. Pino Gelato's cart represents that fun, happy, love filled bubble a couple wishes guests to share in during their wedding.

 

Regardless of the amount of enjoyment or disdain a couple has during varying parts of wedding planning, it is often unimaginable to associate feeling stressed about the dessert. Especially so if the couple has thought beyond just cake.

Gelato can be used as a tool to incorporate wedding colors at dessert time. Often a couple can be swayed toward the current trends. Instead of falling victim to a gimmick or even the impractical (try to endure a make-your-own-vegan-cupcake-bar = mess, not to mention a bevy of ruined formal wear) dessert of the moment, steer secure to the option gelato lends to tradition. Select a custom or favorite flavor scoop of gelato to serve alongside the slice of wedding cake for a tasteful compliment and instant boost from mundane without going overboard. Gelato meets both visual and taste appeal for a simplistic, elegant, and decadent pairing to any wedding cake. Wedding colors can also be carried by gelato spoons or dishes in vast gradients from authentic to the most outlandish and fancy.


Prevent the overload of wedding prep from surpassing in priority to the initial bubble of joy an engagement brings to a couple and their families by creating opportunities for notable elements that incorporate all of the excitement to assure all the wonderful is passed along to those partaking in "The Big Day". Tap into the happiness and picture how lighthearted and memorable serving gelato to guests will be.

Gelato Cocktails

Ladies and gentlemen, let us celebrate in spirit with spirits of the sweetest variety this year.  One of the top elements to a holiday gathering is the beverage options, in order to create the most spectacular offerings serve a couple of signature cocktails that incorporate gelato.  Truly brighten the crowd and atmosphere with a gelato addition to a traditional Bellini or a dark stout beer.  

Giuseppe Cipriani the founder of Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy created the most famous champagne cocktail in the world, The Bellini, although it is made with prosecco.  A traditional Bellini is made with one part white peach puree to three parts prosecco. All items should be as cold as possible.  To create a memorable twist to the traditional Bellini serve all ingredients with a small scoop of peach sorbetto, blood orange sorbetto, or vanilla gelato right in the champagne flute.  The cold, sweetened, and colorful beverage will be a party favorite with the gelato and sorbetto adding an exceptional component to a delightful drink. Beyond the delectable taste, the color in the flute looks fabulous.



At Harry's Bar, photo courtesy of dailymail.co.uk

Options are encouraged when entertaining, so in addition to having a full bar of spirits and wine (or a selection of personal favorites) have another featured gelato cocktail, such as a dark stout beer float.  Offer chilled beer glasses filled with dark stout beer and in a make-your-own fashion present three flavors of gelato next to the poured beer. Hazelnut, caramel, or vanilla gelato is a flavor that complements the notes present in the dark beer.  If there is a full bar display then use the gelato in combination with after-dinner drinks such as Frangelico, a hazelnut liqueur from Northern Italy, or Sambuca, an Italian anise-flavored liqueur. Serve alongside or within an espresso, of course. 

Signature beverages display an extra effort for the host, a seemingly flawless plan to use the simple gelato drink preparations above to wow a crowd. Creating special cocktails with gelato will rally enthused guests and spike creativity, who knows, gelato margaritas could be on the menu at a friend’s Cinco-de-Mayo party, trendsetter!  Enjoying the festivities this season sweeter than ever before will keep a crowd smiling, saying “I’ll have another”, with  these glorious gelato cocktails.  Salute!

Tough decisions...

When customers step in a Pino Gelato, they are amazed by the presentation and flavor varieties we offer. As they sample our flavors, it sometimes seems people have a harder time choosing a flavor than naming their first-born child!

Now, while we love our customers, we think it is time to make it even harder on you. That’s right, it’s time to add new flavors to our list!

But choosing flavors is not just hard on our customers! The Pino Gelato team needs your help choosing  new flavors that we can include in our stores. Do you enjoy traditional gelato flavors, like chocolate, hazelnut and pistachio…or are your favorites some of the non-traditional, like Reese’s and Cream or Ocean Caramel? 

Here’s where you come in… We have heard suggestions ranging from lilac to a chocolate-chocolate chip gelato. No idea is too ordinary or too wild (in fact, we can’t wait to hear the wild)! 

Straciatella (Chocolate Chip) is a traditional Italian flavor; while Peanut Butter hits the spot for others!

Please let us know what flavors you would like to see, whether you have seen it before, or you are the creator. In fact, we will name the best flavor suggestion after the person who suggests it for its first 2 months in our corporate store on Hilton Head Island, SC.

 We appreciate your input, and can’t wait to hear your ideas!