Canada Competes in the 2012 Gelato World Championships

This past month, the Pan Pacific Vancouver’s very own star Pastry Chef, Hans Pirhofer was selected as one of five chefs in Canada to represent the country and compete in the Gelato World Cup 2012 in Rimini, Italy.

The Gelato World Cup

The Gelato World Cup is regarded as the highest level of competition in the pastry-industry world wide. For the first time ever, a team from Vancouver represented Canada this past January at the 2012 World Cup of Gelato. For four days, Team Canada competed against 12 other countries for the most conveted Gelato Titles in the World. Team Canada members with their collective passion, expertise and creativity unveiled five different disciplines; gelato in a cup, cone, cake, pan, as well as incorporating gelato into a savoury dish. These culinary gelato’s after 4 days were brought together in the final presentation which included a grand chocolate sculpture and an artisan ice carving.

Gelato World Cup

Although in the end Team Canada finished in 11th, they learned plenty and now know what to expect from the judges and their competitors for 2014!

What an amazing experience for our first competition. Lots of learning and a great finish at 11th, ahead of Team USA and Team Mexico. We wanted to finish better, so while happy with the experience, everything we learned, observed and went through will help us in 2 years when Team Canada returns. – Hans Pirhofer

Here’s a look at a few photos from the competition!

Gelato World Cup

Gelato World Cup 2012

Gelato World Cup 2012

Gelato World Cup
Gelato World Cup