What
Gelato Festival
When
2 – 7 p.m. Friday, November 3 – Sunday, November 5
Where
La Encantada Shopping Center
2905 E. Skyline Dr.
More Info
gelatofestivalamerica.com
eventbrite.com
From Tuscany to Tucson comes a festival you won’t want to miss.
For the first time ever, La Encantada is hosting the Gelato Festival Tour from 2 -7 p.m. on Friday, November 3 – Sunday, November 5.
The festival is all about spreading the culture of authentic Italian artisanal gelato into the minds – and mouths – of Americans.
Tickets are $25 per person, $40 for a pair, and $15 for kids under the age of 12.
During the traveling competition, you can vote for your favorite flavors from all of the competing gelato chefs, some of which are Tucson based. Tucson Foodie’s own Adam Lehrman will be an official judge on the Tucson leg of the festival.
From the official Gelato Festival website, your ticket gets you… “the bracelet and map of the Festival with which you can taste all the flavours in the competition as well as the special flavours, to attend the courses and games at the most delicious Gelato Village there is. Don’t miss your chance to vote for your favourite flavour! Each ticket can be used only once per activity.“
Competing Gelato Chefs
- Don Schackart of Blue Ice Gelato (Tucson)
- Eugenia Sardelli of Gelateria Sardelli (Tuscany, Italy)
- Ezequiel Gomez of Gelato Gourmet (Florida)
- Giulia Gori of Vivoli (Firenze, Italy)
- Kelly Chu of Cirsea Craft Ice Cream (South Carolina)
- Nazario Melchionda of Frost, A Gelato Shoppe (Tucson)
- Pamela Wolfert of The Inn Spot (New York)
- Peter Miller of Tazzina di Gelato (Tucson)
- Sylvia D’Andrea of Luna Rossa Winery & Pizzeria (New Mexico)
On top of tasting the different flavors of gelato, you can experience the creation of the trending dessert and take part in numerous activities throughout the weekend.
La Encantada Shopping Center is located at 2905 E. Skyline Dr. For more information, visit gelatofestivalamerica.com and eventbrite.com to purchase your tickets.
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Article written by:

Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.















