Criollo: Special Gelato Day Event – March 23

To celebrate Gelato Day, a food celebration officially recognized by the European Union, a special event will be held on March 23 at the Roman gelateria Criollo – Il Bistrot del Gelato.

For this one special day, twenty master gelato artisans from across Europe will gather at Criollo.

From 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, visitors will be able to taste the flavors created by each of the twenty gelato artisans.

Two flavors in a cone or cup will cost €2.50, and a 350-gram takeaway container will be available for €10.

This year’s official Gelato Day flavor is called “Melody.”

The name is inspired by music, and the theme of this year’s event is “Gelato that makes Europe sing.” The idea behind it is that gelato, like music, can cross borders and bring people together.

The flavor itself is composed of a creamy ricotta base, marbled with pistachio cream, and enriched with orange sauce and crushed pistachios, creating a bright and elegant gelato.

The host of the event, Simona Papagno, describes the idea behind the celebration with these words:

“Gelato is a food that is open to everyone. It represents peace, hospitality, and sharing.”

For the event, Simona will present her own reinterpretation of the official flavor “Melody.”

The participating gelato artisans come not only from different regions of Italy, but also from cities such as London and locations in France.

Among the many flavors planned for the event are lemon cream with pine nuts, fior di latte with Madagascar chocolate and hay, white chocolate with apricot and thyme, pink grapefruit with Campari, bergamot cream, ketogenic peanut gelato, and hazelnut cheesecake, along with many other original creations.

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Throughout the day, the event will also offer a wide range of experiences and activities.

2:00 PM, a demonstration for professionals in the Ho.Re.Ca sector will take place under the title “Unconventional Idea: Think Outside Gelato.” The session will explore how gelato can be used creatively as part of restaurant cuisine.

3:30 PM, there will be a children’s craft workshop, where participants will create gelato-themed postcards using a paper-rolling technique called quilling.

5:00 PM, a story-reading session for children will be held, making the event enjoyable for families as well.

As the evening begins, the program shifts toward activities designed for adults.

6:30 PM, there will be a talk on Mindful Eating, encouraging participants to become more aware of the experience of eating.

This will be followed by a show-cooking demonstration by gelato artisan Alex Erioldi.

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Later in the evening, there will be a special cooking demonstration by Nicky Brian Perera and Andrealetizia Pedrini, contestants from Master Chef Italia Season 11. They will prepare a dish featuring caramelized leeks, served together with Simona Papagno’s mustard gelato, creating a unique combination of savory cuisine and gelato.

The event is supported by several partners, including Bravo Spa, a company specializing in professional machines for gelato production, the project Unconventional Gelato, which promotes gelato culture, dairy producer Fattoria Latte Sano, and cone manufacturer Nocciolcono.

Local community partners are also involved, including a neighborhood bookstore, craft organizations, and bakeries.

Another important purpose of the event is charity.

All proceeds from the day will be donated to the volunteer organization Il Cuore Grande di Flavio, founded in 2018.

The organization works in collaboration with the Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù in Rome, supporting children with cancer and their families.

Its activities include managing accommodation for families who travel from far away for treatment and organizing fundraising initiatives to support pediatric cancer research. Through these efforts, the organization plays an important role in supporting many families.

Artisan gelato is widely appreciated for its high quality and food safety, and it is also seen as a way to highlight the ingredients and food traditions of many European countries.

At the same time, gelato is part of everyday life in Italy. It is a cultural tradition and a social moment that brings people together.

This special event, held in a small gelateria in Rome, will be a perfect example of that spirit.

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GELATO DAY EDIZIONE II

Monday, 23rd March  15:00-21:00
Criollo - Il Bistrot del gelato 

via G. Bagnera 59, Roma

3282511673

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PROGRAM OF THE DAY

14:00 – 15:00
An Unconventional Idea: Think Outside Gelato
with Carlos Silva and Andrea Zingrillo
Reserved for Ho.Re.Ca professionals

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15:00
Opening of the tastings

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15:30 – 16:30
Creative Quilling workshop
with Arricrèa APS
(recommended age 5+)

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17:00 – 17:45
Storytime and readings
with Tana Libri per tutti
(recommended age 4–7)

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18:30 – 18:45
Talk by Nerina di Nunzio on
“Mindful Eating”

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18:45 – 19:30
Showcooking by master gelato maker Alex Erioldi
“Scarpettami”
with tasting of products from Fornace Stella

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19:30 – 20:30
Showcooking by Nicky Brian Perera and Andrealetizia Pedrini

from Masterchef 11

with tasting of mustard gelato by Simona Papagno

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21:00
End of the tastings

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During the event it will be possible to purchase:

Cone or cup (two flavors): €2.50
Takeaway tub 350g: €10

All flavors are created by the participating master gelato makers.

All proceeds from the day will be donated to the charity  “Il Cuore Grande di Flavio”.

All activities are free but require reservation at 3282511673. Limited seats available.

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In partnership with

Unconventional Gelato
Bravo

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