A STONE-COLD showing by a Cheshire gelato expert has secured them a chance to show off their skills at the home of ice cream – Italy!

Frodsham-based Samantha Cunliffe, from Bene Gelateria, beat off some of the best gelato chefs at the UK finals of the Gelato Festival World Masters 2024 to win the Manchester heat.

From the on-trend to the unimaginable, the gelato chefs presented an array of creative and delicious artisan gelato dishes to a panel of industry experts who critiqued the taste, structure, creativity, and overall presentation of the gelato entry.

Organisers Carpigiani UK  said that Samantha was named as the winner of its Manchester heat because of the high standard of flavour for her “Chocolate Orange Cocco Crunch” – a custard-based gelato infused with ginger, cinnamon and orange; with dark chocolate stracciatella and diced candied ginger on top.

Samantha will now represent the UK in the European finals of the Gelato Festival World Masters in Italy, in 2025.

The competition will see the UK finalists compete against more than 40 gelato chefs from across the globe.

To find out more about the Carpigiani Gelato Challenge 2024 visit www.carpigiani.co.uk/gelato-challenge-2024

Paul Ingram, managing director at Carpigiani UK, said he and colleagues were blown away by the standard on show at the competition and wished the winners well in their bid to win over Italians.

He said: “The entire Carpigiani team – from the UK to Italy – has been bowled over by the sheer talent of all the gelato chefs in the UK challenge.

“Across the three heats in London, Manchester, and Hereford the quality, creativity and professionalism have been phenomenal – the judges were certainly put through their paces.

“On behalf of Carpigiani UK, I want to thank every finalist who competed in the UK finals of the Gelato Festival World Masters.

“We’re looking forward to cheering Samantha and her fellow winners as they move on to the European finals in Italy next year.

“This is a huge achievement for our all finalists but also fantastic recognition of the growing artisan gelato scene in the UK.”

After hosting the previous Gelato Challenge in 2018, Carpigiani UK is thrilled by the success of 2024.

Recognised globally, the industry-leading manufacturer is pleased to showcase the best gelato chefs in the UK as part of the Gelato Festival World Masters and looks forward to supporting more gelato artisans through future competitions to come.