During Terra Madre there will be the first Universal Ice Cream Makers Gathering
Even though a slew of gelato shops are opening, even though gelato has finally conquered even the glossiest (or oldest) food magazines, gelato makers remain underappreciated artisans.
But an event is about to change the game: gelato makers have decided to leave their workshops, root out even their most timid colleagues, and take to the streets, with a parade through the streets of downtown Turin. It will be a marching band led by a marching band, a demonstration halfway between majorettes and the Bersaglieri fanfare, partly for fun and partly to attract attention. The event is called AUG, Universal Gelato Makers' Adunata (Universal Gelato Makers' Adunata), but many will have noticed the onomatopoeia of the acronym, which harks back to the assertiveness of the late Sitting Bull, himself a minority, yet one who was rewarded by the spotlight.
The gathering will take place in Turin, coinciding with Salone del Gusto – Terra Madre, Slow Food's major biennial event, now in its sixteenth year and this year dedicated to human and creative biodiversity, a field in which gelato makers have extensive experience. The event is an initiative of Alberto Marchetti, under the direction of Marlena Buscemi, master gelato maker and gastronome, respectively.
The event is autonomous and entirely funded by the participating gelato makers. This year, the proceeds from participation fees (paid by professionals and the public) will be donated to CasaOz, net of organizational expenses. CasaOz is a refuge for sick, disabled, or vulnerable children and adolescents, and their families. If AUG is successful (and we certainly believe it will be), it will be held at least once a year, and each year the proceeds will be donated to organizations or associations that work with children.
How the universal gathering of ice cream makers takes place
The procession will depart on September 25th at 5:00 PM from Piazza CLN in Turin, renamed Piazza del Gelato for the days of Terra Madre – Salone del Gusto. Everyone will walk together through the city center (Via Giolitti, Via Carlo Alberto, Piazza Carignano, Via Lagrange, Via Maria Vittoria). The destination is Piazza San Carlo, where everyone will arrive around 6:00 PM. A sit-down dinner will take place outdoors at 7:30 PM, where gelato makers and gelato enthusiasts will share a table. The gelato makers will wear white T-shirts with the slogan "I make gelato," while the diners will wear T-shirts with colors inspired by the gelato flavors (gianduja, pistachio, strawberry, apricot, blueberry) and the slogan "e lo mangio."
There are only 100 places for the dinner, and reservations are required on Eventbrite. The cost is €45 per person and includes a four-course dinner box (veal with tuna sauce, Russian salad, savory pie, red rice with cherry tomatoes and pistachio pesto), as well as breadsticks, a small bottle of water, a beer (non-alcoholic or not), and, of course, Alberto Marchetti's ice cream.
By booking, you will receive a free colored “E io lo mangio” t-shirt, an AUG shopping bag, an AUG placemat, a 20% discount on your second beer (choice of 48 different beers) and, for Slow Food members, an additional gift.
The dinner is also accessible to people with reduced mobility and to those with special dietary needs (to be declared at the time of booking to the email address indicated).
