In Florence, legend has it that in 1559, a Medici court chef named Buontalenti created the first gelato recipe—milk and egg yolk spun into cold, creamy magic. More than 450 years later, Gabriele Poli, founder of the Gelato Festival World Masters, carries that origin story with him like a family heirloom.
“When I discovered that fact, I decided to celebrate in my hometown with a competition between local gelato chefs. That was 2010,” Poli tells me. “From year one, it was an incredible success. I’ve spent the last 15 years building what’s now the largest network of gelato chefs in the world.”
That network returns to Los Angeles on August 30–31, 2025, for a two-day festival at Ovation Hollywood. And if you think this is just another food event, think again—it’s a battle of the top 10 gelato artisans in North America, with the winners advancing to the World Finals in 2026.
What Makes Los Angeles a Great Place to Host Gelato Fest?
Poli doesn’t mince words: “This is the most important gelato event in America—ever. The quality of chefs competing this year is unmatched. We have winners from across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and whoever wins will represent all of North America at the worldwide final.”
Think of it as the Olympics of frozen dessert, only with flavors that surprise you into silence. Past contenders have created strawberry with roasted red pepper sorbet or milk gelato laced with honey and crunchy rice. This year, competitors promise mushroom-infused chocolate, avant-garde experiments, and timeless classics elevated by technique.
Beyond Tasting: A Full-Immersion Festival
Sure, there will be spoon-licking galore. But Gelato Festival World Masters is structured for interaction and discovery.
Vote for the winner: Attendees with tasting passes sample all 10 competition flavors and cast votes that count toward the final decision alongside the technical jury.
Learn from the masters: Live demos by international pastry chefs and the Frozen Dessert University team from Bologna show how gelato is made, and how it differs from ice cream.
Compete yourself: Yes, there’s a gelato eating contest, MC’d with flair, testing who can down the most gelato in the shortest time.
Cultural moments: Workshops and presentations honor gelato’s Italian roots while showcasing its global evolution.
“This isn’t just about tasting,” Poli insists. “It’s an educational, cultural, and entertaining weekend—an experience for families, kids, and foodies alike.”
For Foodies, Families, and the Flavor-Curious
Poli saves his final pitch for the people who haven’t yet attended: “If you’ve never been to Gelato Festival, it’s the perfect way to spend one of the last weekends of summer. You’ll meet the chefs, taste flavors created just for this event, vote for your favorite, and leave inspired.”
And yes, he has his personal favorite too: lemon ricotta gelato from the Gelato Festival’s product line. Light, creamy, and tart—it’s Poli’s go-to in the summer, and a preview of the sensory surprises waiting for L.A. in late August.
Giving Back: Hollywood Food Coalition Partnership
This year, Gelato Festival partners with the Hollywood Food Coalition, tying indulgence to impact. When purchasing tickets, attendees can add a donation, and the non-profit will have a booth onsite.
“We hope through this festival we can raise money for them,” Poli says. “But more than that, we want this to be the beginning of a larger partnership—maybe even serving free gelato through their programs to bring joy where it’s needed most.”
Need-to-Know: Gelato Festival World Masters
📍 Ovation Hollywood, 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles
📅 August 30–31, 2025 | ⏰ 10 a.m.–7 p.m. daily
🎟️ Tickets: $27.25 (GA timed entry), $64 (All-Inclusive Flex Pass), $22 (Child/Senior/Veterans/ADA). Add-on tasting packages available.
🔗 gelatofestival.com | bucketlisters.com
📲 Follow: @gelatofestivalworldmasters
Photo credits: Photos courtesy of Gelato Fest
