Vegan “Dark Chocolate Surprise” Wins Prestigious Gelato Competition

Vegan gelato flavor “Dark Chocolate Surprise” was crowned the winner of Gelato Festival America held in New Jersey last weekend. The winning flavor—which features a blend of 80-percent South American dark chocolate and water—was chosen out of 12 competitors and prepared by pastry chef Giacomo D’Alessandro of New York City-based shop Polosud Gelato, Coffee, Pastries. “It has been an amazing journey. The competition was tough,” Chef D’Alessandro said. “The gelato makers were really great and their creations fantastic. I decided to present one of the most difficult gelato to prepare: a dark chocolate sorbet. If you get the balance wrong, you risk a very bitter and rocky outcome! If you get it right though, it is creamy and great.” A panel of expert judges thought D’Alessandro did indeed get it right and awarded his innovative flavor top honors, advancing the flavor as a finalist in the “Best Flavor in America” competition in March.