Chen Xiaochun

654789759@qq.com

The Gelato World Tour, the world’s premiere cross-cultural artisanal gelato competition, has come to Shenzhen, China.

On the evening of August 4, the opening ceremony of Gelato World Tour (GWT) China Challenge and the Italian Gelato Culture Festival was held at OCT Harbour, Shenzhen.

This is the first time that GWT has come to China after travelling to ten cities around the world. The event will run from August 5 to August 7 at O'PLAZA Shopping Mall of OCT Harbour, Shenzhen.

“Thanks to the economic boom, China has become the biggest ice cream consumer in the world. There’s a growing appreciation of individuality and in healthy quality-over-quantity appeal in ice cream, with more concern on healthy diet. It’s therefore believed that Gelato will become more and more popular in China,” said Laura Egoli, Consul General of Italy in Guangzhou.

Egoli also brought good news to all foodies that the Italian institutions plan to organize an Italian Gastronomy Week event called “Settimana Della Cucina Italiana” worldwide at the end of November this year and China will be an important stop. She added that for people who wish to taste gelato in Italy, they will find it easier to apply for a visa because a new Italian Visa Application Center has just opened in Shenzhen which is located at GCIG Building in Futian District.

“This is the first time that GWT has come to China. We chose Shenzhen because Shenzhen is a passionate city, ideal for holding this grand event,” said Amy Chen, the executive director & general manager of the organizer Shanghai Nina Food LTD.

During this event which is open to the public, 16 gelato artisan teams from all over China will present their unique flavours to the public and to a jury of experts and journalists, who will vote for the best gelato flavour in China. Every Gelato-Ticket costs 60 yuan and includes 6 tastings. The top flavour and artisan will represent China at the Grand Finale of Gelato World Tour to be held in Rimini, Italy in 2017.