[Review] Handmade Italian Gelato at Alfero Artisan Gelato

Alfero Gelato has two outlets in Singapore, one at Orchard Gateway and the other at MacPherson Lane. Met up with my lovely friends for a tasting session at the MacPherson Lane outlet which is about 10 minutes walk away from Tai Seng MRT station.

In case the shop is too crowded, there's a bench for you to wait outside the shop and take photos with the shop front. 

The shop was named after its owner Marco Alfero with the aim to bring consumers homemade Italian gelato produced with the best ingredients that was imported.  Without compromising on the freshness and taste, Alfero Artisan Gelato is the true Italian gelato that even the Godfather loves it!

Awards that were achieved over the years. 

At Alfero Gelato, the gelato are stored in the POZZETTO cabinet where air and light cannot contaminate the quality of the gelato. This way, it helps to preserve the perfect texture and smoothness of their gelato. Thus, we can only choose our gelato flavours based on the name of the flavours on the name stands.

We did some sampling before we finally picked our favourite flavours to be placed in the cup or waffles. Here we have the Mango Sorbet and Lychee Sorbet in cups. Both are refreshing and for the Lychee Sorbet, there's even some chunks of the Lychee fruit to bite on. I love them both for the smooth texture and it's not too icy. The cost is reasonably priced as well at $4.50 for 1 scoop and $6.50 for 2 scoops.

For gelato, we had a double scoops of Dark Chocolate and Mint Choco Chips. We are so used to seeing mint flavoured ice-cream in green but at Alfero Gelato, they don't use artificial colouring and thus their Mint Choco Chips gelato is in white colour. Both flavours when mixed and eaten together is really a great combination. As compared to ice-cream, gelato only contains 2 - 9% of fats while a normal ice-cream may contain up to 30% of fats. 

We also tried two of their signature smoothies - Avocado with gula melaka and mango priced at $7.90. By topping up with another $0.50, one can choose from the premium flavours which includes pistachio and Mao Shan Wang Durian. Their smoothies is really thick and creamy and is a good serving size for sharing. For me, I can't possibly finished one tall glass by myself.

We also had gelato with waffles. The two old lady even decorated our plate with nice wordings, "Be Happy. Enjoy Gelato." We chosen Bacio, Green Tea and Pistachio as our gelato for waffle. Both Pistachio and Bacio are their best sellers so it's glad that we got to try them both. I love the Bacio flavour which taste so much like Ferrero Rocher. Waffle with Gelato cost $7.50 for a single scoop, $9.50 for a double scoop and $11.50 for 3 scoops while plain waffle cost $4.

For the waffles, they were created using real pandan juice thus it appears green in colour on the inside. This makes the waffle extremely delicious on its own and we even ordered another 4 pieces of waffles to munch on. 

Wefie with my blogger friends. 

Really glad to be introduced to this yummy gelato. Highly recommended to try it. 

ALFERO GELATO 

81 MacPherson Lane 

#01-37

Singapore 360081

(Nearest MRT: Tai Seng)

Opening Hours 

Tuesday to Saturday : 12pm to 9pm 

Sunday: 12pm to 6pm

CLOSED ON MONDAY

For more information, please visit 

www.alferogelato.com

XOXO

[EVENT] Laksa-flavoured gelato-making workshop + First batch of students graduating from the professional Basic Gelato Course in Singapore

+39 Gelato Bar
29 Circular Road,
Singapore 049385

It's not hard to find a drinking bar/pub if you take a walk along Circular Road but right along this busy and happening street, there's this Gelato Bar called +39 Gelato Bar. Just look out for the giant gelato cone outside the shop and this is where you can get your cold fix without getting drunk. 

Gelato instructor, Maestro Cristian Bonfiglioli

Yesterday night, a special media session was held at +39 Gelato Bar, where Maestro Cristian Bonfiglioli, instructor at Carpigiani Gelato University in Italy conducted a special gelato-making workshop. This is also one activity following the first successful installment of the Carpigiani Gelato University gelato-making course with At-Sunrice Global Chef Academy. 

The making of the uniquely laksa-flavoured gelato

I have witnessed the making of gelato by them previously, but this time round, to join in the national spirit of the SG50 celebrations, they are going to concoct a laksa-flavoured gelato! That's a first in Singapore definitely. Laksa is one of Singaporean's favourite local hawker dishes and I'm curious to find out how the laksa gelato will taste like. 

Photo Credit : Jane

We also tried their Rossini Sorbet. A signature Italian Frozen Cocktail made of Prosecco, Fresh Strawberres and Basil. Very nice and refreshing. 

Thanks Jane for taking this photo of me

The main ingredients to make gelato is actually not milk but water, which I guess means that actually anything that is in liquid form can be turned into gelato given the right timing as well as the correct proportion of the rest of the ingredients. The word Gelato means frozen and one have to master the skill to balance the sugar which prevent the gelato from freezing completely and turning into ice. Gelato should be soft, smooth and silky just like what we have tasted. Perfect. 

Group photo with Shu Qing, Jane and myself and our chosen gelato. 

Both Jane and I chose the Laksa-flavoured Gelato as our takeaway cup while Shu Qing had the coconut one. Nice.

Finally, the end products

This is how the end product of the laksa-flavoured gelato looks like. Best to be eaten with some crackers if not the laksa taste will get a little bit too heavy towards the end. Yes, it taste exactly like the laksa broth except that it's so smooth and cold and melts in the mouth. Good news, for a limited time only, +39 Gelato Bar will make this laksa flavour gelato from 2nd August to 8th August to celebrate SG50! Go try it as it's not something you can find in their usual menu. Thanks so much for the invitation.

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Carpigiani Gelato University Graduation - A Milstone Achieved for Aspiring Gelato Chefs

Following the trailblazing success of the inaugural Gelato World Tour 2.0 which was held in Singapore in March 2015, this cool and smooth Italian treat has now became a subject for learning here in Singapore, representing also the rest of the Asia Pacific region. An announcement was made leading up to the Gelato World Tour 2.0 for the two best culinary schools in the world, At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy and Carpigiani Gelato University to collaborate and spread the artisan gelato culture in the Asia Pacific region.

Photo Credit ; At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy. Different flavours of gelato made by students.

Gelato is more than your typical dessert. Gelato is freshly made every day and is significantly lower in calories and sugar than the conventional ice creams. It is high in proteins, calcium and vitamin B2 and contains around half the fat of typical industrial ice cream. This is also why gelato is fast becoming the choice dessert for health conscious food-lovers. 

Photo Credit ; At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy. Maestro Cristian Bonfiglioli, instructors from the Carpigiani Gelato University supervising the students

The Basic Gelato Course programme is designed to meet the aspirations of future gelato entrepreneurs who have no prior knowledge or experience in gelato-making. The main thrusts of learning include basic theoretical and practical sessions and the class is conducted on the campus of At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy with qualified instructors of the Carpigiani Gelato University. A total of 19 students from Singapore and the Asia Pacific region, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos and China formed the first batch of students and have underwent a total of 40 hours of learning and practical lessons over five days. Enrolment size will be capped at 15 students subsequently to get desired learning environment and optimal attention to each and every student. The fee for the Basic Gelato Course is priced at approximately S$ 1,515 and upon graduation, each student will receive a voucher of the same value that can be used as part of payment to purchase the gelato machines from Carpigiani.

Photo Credit ; At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy. One of the practical lesson.

All students from the first batch of this course graduated today at a graduation ceremony held on the campus of At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy. Currently, enrolment for the next Basic Gelato Course taking place from October 12th to 16th 2015 is almost fully subscribed. The third Basic Gelato Course is planned on November 16th to 20th 2015. 

For more information on the Basic Gelato Course, please visit 

www.gelatouniversity.com/en/

For more information on At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy, please visit

www.at-sunrice.edu.sg

[Media Invitation] Gelato Tasting Session at +39 Gelato Bar

GELATO IS HAPPINESS CONDENSED!

If there is one dessert that you should have anytime, any day, it's gotta be Gelato! Was glad to be invited to the Gelato Tasting Session held at +39 Gelato Bar whereby I learnt so much about Gelato and got to taste the really smooth and yummy gelato. By the time I left this place, I am fully convinced that Gelato and ice-cream is different. 

+39 Gelato Bar officially opens its door in March this year in the vibrant Boat Quay district. Trailblazing its way into one of Singapore's most bustling area comprising of office towers, high end restaurants, alfresco dining and lively bars & pubs, +39 Gelato Bar is set to indulge customers and all gelato lovers with the real taste of Italian indulgence and into the world of artisanal gelato. 

STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT IS THE MAIN REASON FOR THE SMOOTH GELATO TEXTURE

Chef Jacopo Quaglia, director & Gelato Coach mentioned that for the first time ever in the Asia Pacific region, IdeaTre machine from Carpigiani were being used to mix, churn, freeze and store the gelato. He further explained that they are able to serve gelato straight from the cylinder, thus the gelato remains smooth and fresh. Another great function is that all the different cylinder is independent so that he can set different temperature for the different ingredients. Shall not go into the technical details of which ingredients freeze at what temperature, etc. That's for the chef to know, and for us to taste. 

 100% NATURAL, HEALTHY AND DELECTABLE PURE PLEASURE

Gelato can be define as a pure pleasure, it's something that you put into your mouth and you don't have to chew to enjoy it. The gelato here are lovingly made fresh every day, the different flavours are 100% natural, using the high quality and exquisite ingredients sourced both locally and from the home of gelato, Italy. +39 Gelato Bar ensures that it uses no added flavourings, colours, preservatives or chemical additives of any kind, adding to gelato's reputation as a 100% healthy and delectable pleasure. Here's Chef Stefano Cadorin showing us the vanilla bean that were used to make the vanilla gelato. 

MAKING OF THE STRAWBERRY CINNAMON SORBET

Live demonstration of how the machine works. Tried serveral flavours of the gelato including the most well-liked pistachio, hazelnut, vanilla, mango sorbet and strawberry cinnamon. The texture of the gelato here is really smooth and the flavours changes daily so you have to check what is available. I like the Strawberry Cinnamon which really has a very rich strawberry taste. The cinnamon essence was the after-taste. 

APEROL FROZEN SPRITZ

While most places serves gelato with waffles, here at +39 Gelato Bar, they pair it with alcohol. In their unique version of the classic Italian cocktail named Aperol Spritz, they use sorbet made from Aperol and top it with Prosecco wine and a slice of orange. It's a rather acquired taste of sour, bitter and sweet. 

WAFFLES WITH GELATO

The waffle here is oh-so-crispy but a little burnt at the side. Amazingly, the waffles did not turn soggy even with the two scoop of gelato on top. It was said that no sugar was added to make the waffle. The chef is still getting feedback on the shape of their waffles, would it be better if it's a squarish type or the more traditional circle type. 

GELATO SANDWICH

Gelato in a bun. This is really a very interesting creation. 

BUY 2 GET 1 FREE PROMOTION AT +39 GELATO BAR

Gather your buddies for dinner and after that gelato for dessert. Valid till 30 April 2015 for small/medium/big gelato cups (free gelato cups will be applicable to the lowest priced one). One redemption per voucher and not allowed to be combined for usage. Photos of voucher shared are accepted. 

I'll be back again!

+39 Gelato Bar

No. 29 Circular Road

Singapore 049385

Opens Mondays through Saturdays

11am to 11pm

Visit website www.plus39gelato.com for more information.