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GELATO WORLD CUP - 12TH EDITION - RIMINI, ITALY - JANUARY 2028

Gelato World Cup > About us

Gelato e Cultura Srl

For over twenty years, Gelato e Cultura Srl has organized the Gelato World Cup, for which it holds the trademark. This biennial event, now in its eleventh edition, brings together the 12 finalist teams from a series of national and international selections that bring teams, staff, and journalists from the food and beverage sector from around the world to the final.
The event’s main venue is SIGEP WORLD, produced by I.E.G. Italian Exhibition Group, the world’s leading event for pastry, gelato, bakery, pizza, and coffee.
The next edition will take place at the Rimini Exhibition Center in January 2028.
The mission of the Gelato World Cup is to highlight the global excellence of artisanal gelato based on Italian tradition and tradition, contribute to the development of professionalism in the culinary arts, and promote friendship and collaboration between peoples. In this context, Gelato e Cultura has always been committed to promoting the region of origin because it is a source of ingredients, local raw materials, and culinary traditions essential to the production of a high-quality artisanal product.

Partner

President
Sergio Colalucci

Honorary president
Giancarlo Timballo

Vice president
Sergio Dondoli

Coordination
Alessandra Pacini

Treasurer and Administrative Secretary
Paola Franz

Marketing, Communications and Press Office Manager
Claudia Santoro

Sergio Colalucci

Gelato artisan, in 1980 joined his father in the family business and in 1990 became the owner. Has accumulated in-depth knowledge of the Gelato world, participating firstly in professional training courses, then with dedicated study of food and nutrition science and round tables with Italian and foreign colleagues and leading companies in this sector. Since 2003 has been teacher at the Ciga Hotel Costa Smeralda and since 2012 ALMA teacher. In 2004 came 3rd in “The Gelato is Served” and in 2006 won the Gelato World Cup at Rimini’s SIGEP.
Consultant with Carpigiani Gelato University from 2001. Received an award from the Municipality of Gibellina for gelato excellence and from Il Gelatiere Italiano trade magazine as a world milestone in gastronomic (savoury) gelato. Frequent guest on television transmissions and at trade events. Represented the new frontiers in gastronomic gelato at Udine Good trade fair in 2011.
President of the World Gelato Cup.

Giancarlo Timballo

Born in Udine, in 1985 he opened the “Fiordilatte” Gelato Parlour. Manager of the ice cream makers’ association of the province of Udine since 1988 and of the Confcommecio group of gelato makers group of the province of Udine since 1990. Member of the Italian Gelato Academy from 1998 to 2000. National President of the Fipe Confcommercio Ice Cream Makers’ Coordination Committee since 2000.
Teacher in Friuli Venezia Giulia training schools.

Sergio Dondoli

A graduate of Montecatini Terme State Hotel School, grew up with enthusiasm and passion for the artisan world. For no less than 18 years travelled round Europe building up important culinary experience and acquiring valuable skills as both a restaurateur and gelato artisan. In 1992 opened his famous “Bottega di Gelateria” in the heart of San Gimignano. The only gelato parlour in the world mentioned by Lonely Planet among the top ten “best gourmet locations in the world” in 2011 and, that same year, was nominated gastronome personality of the year by FISAR.
Currently holds the position of vice chairman with the CO.GEL.– FIPE (National gelato makers’ committee of the Federazione Italiana Pubblici Esercizi), he is a professor at the Gelato University. Race commissioner in the CMG.

Alessandra Pacini

Graduate in tourism economics, has worked for several years on the organization of events and as a tutor on professional training courses in the tourism sector and has been a partner in the family business “Gelateria Colalucci” in Nettuno (Rome) since 1990. Now manages the CMG secretariat. Since 2007 has been actively involved in the organization of the CMG.

Paola Franz

Graduate in accounting, has worked with her husband in the “Fiordilatte” gelato parlour since 1985 and is specialized in decorating gelato cakes, semifreddos and cold pastry products. Is responsible for the accounting for the company and for the Gelato World Cup. Has attended professional gelato training courses along with her husband.

Claudia Santoro

Journalist, graduated in Business Management, Claudia has experience in press offices, digital marketing and event management. Committed to the communication of homemade gelato, she was responsible for Sherbeth Festival communication until 2016 and from 2011 is part of the organizing committee of the Gelato World Cup, she is in charge of online and offline communications and the management international selections. She moved to London, where she continues to work in the marketing and communications industry, she is passionate about gastronomy and digital strategies.

World Committee of Honour

They are ambassadors of internationality, professionals and experts in the sector at an international level with whom GWC has collaborated for years.

Bruno Aim (France),
Mario Masià (Spain),
Maximiliano Cèsar Maccarrone (Argentina),
Kenny Kong (Asia),
Giancarlo Timballo (Italy) – Presidente Onorario GWC
Dario Fontanella (Germany)
Martino Piccolo (Australia)

Gelato e Cultura Collaborators

Francesca Brianese, Project Manager – secretariat
Alice Fattori, Social Media Manager
Mattia Serratore, photographer

Organising Committee

Gelato e Cultura
Sigep World