Creative in the Capital- Gelissimo strikes Gold
Gelissimo Gelateria reaffirmed its reputation as one of the most creative gelato makers in New Zealand.
At last Thursday's 20th NZICMA ice cream awards, Gelissimo was awarded a Gold Award for its Lot Eight Yuzu Indulgence
Gelato in the Open Creative Gelato category- the only Gold awarded in the category. This gelato went on to the win the
coveted Best in Category Award-Open Creative Category -up against 42 other entries including traditional ice cream.
Graham Joe, owner of Gelissimo, is justifiably proud. "Creativity and innovation is the core part of our brand. We spend
a good deal of our time and resources exploring fresh ideas, developing new flavours, being conscious about flavour
trends and modern cuisine - that's our buzz. We've never wanted to be the biggest, just the best at what we do. It's all
about passion, perfection, wonderful ingredients and relationships with local suppliers such as Lot Eight and Fix & Fogg. We are all about freshness and vitality - we have been known to use rhubarb and fruit from family and friends to
get the flavour bursts we really need. There is nothing like fresh, home grown, chemical-free ingredients."
Gelissimo won the most awards of all gelato manufacturers securing 5 Silver awards, 4 Gold awards and the prized Best In
Category.
"Over the years, we have really developed the business- we were stoked back in 2013 when we won Best In Category for our
Damson Plum, and it just shows you how the industry continues to grow and mature when we can win a creativity award with
something like Lot Eight Yuzu Indulgence- the eating is amazing, despite the unconventional flavour combinations and it
feels great to be recognised for that", says Graham Joe.
And it's not only the flavours that are innovative- Graham loves the theatre of food- and last year Gelissimo served up
18 glow-in-the-dark flavours to big crowds during Wellington on a Plate and the LUX light festival - serving Moonlight
Mint, Manglow and Lunar Lemon. "Watching the kids' faces when they got their glowing gelato was such a highlight, and we
are looking forward to making all our gelato entries in this year's awards available for a free tasting."
Definitely the coolest gelato in the coolest little capital in the world
ENDS