It looks like we’re all turning into chefs these days, churning out bread, pizza, handmade pasta, and more - at least here in Italy. Well, there’s one more very Italian thing you can learn making at home, and that is gelato! (You will need a home gelato-making machine of course.)
If you don’t even know where to start, there’s Bologna’s Gelato University to help. The famous gelato school opened by Carpigiani, a leading manufacturer of gelato machines, is now offering online courses, starting as low as €20, for both beginners and professionals.
Those who want to start approaching the world of gelato can opt for the ‘E-taste’ series, available in four languages: Italian, English, French and Spanish. It consists of five one-hour-and-a-half lessons with a downloadable workbook that summarize the fundamental elements of high-quality artisan gelato. Subjects covered include artisan gelato vs industrial ice-cream, step by step making process, raw ingredients, flavors, fruit sorbets, recipe balancing technique.
Another interesting course teaches all the fundamentals of making milk-based gelato.
“This project allows anyone to enter our main campus and try out the teaching methodology that has given rise to numerous success stories worldwide since 2003,” says Kaori Ito, director of Carpigiani Gelato University. “Thousands of former students have changed their lives with gelato and the market still offers many business opportunities. Thanks to technology, we are now able to get close to those who haven’t taken the first step yet, but have a great passion for gelato and cooking. Obviously, then, we wait for them for the complete course here in Bologna, as the classroom experience with other aspiring gelato makers and the practical lessons in which to test what was learned during the hours of class are essential. Gelato is fantastic to make and enjoy!”.
Even Massimo Bottura, who hails from Modena and is considered one of the world’s best chefs, is having fun making gelato at home with a Carpigiani home gelato machine. Check him out making almond gelato and pistachio sauce - yum!
Who knows, these courses may even inspire you to start your own business as a gelato chef. It may be an opportunity to think about for those who have lost or are having trouble with their jobs right now, due to the coronavirus health emergency.
And even if you just do it for fun, being aware of what goes into the making of gelato will make you a more informed consumer for when you can go out again to enjoy gelato at a gelateria in Italy.
Check out Carpigiani Gelato University’s courses here.
