Cold War

Second Annual Gelato Wars at Scottsdale Gelato Spot
By Ashley Oakes Scott

Picture a wine dinner with multiple courses of….gelato. Welcome to the second annual Arizona Gelato Wars hosted by Gelato Spot.

Ten of the Valley’s hottest chefs combined talents this August, to create some unique and flavorful gelato concoctions, all for a good cause. The mixture that receives the most purchases from customers combined at the three local Gelato Spots around Phoenix and Scottsdale, will be the winner of the Gelato Wars. Along with the title of reigning gelato champ, the winning chef will also receive a $5,000 check to present on their behalf to Make-A-Wish Arizona.

AZ Food and Wine got a sneak peak of this year’s flavor entries; the ten flavors were unlike any that you would get at your normal ice cream shop.

Flavor One: Beckett’s Table chef, Justin Beckett, dished out a Buttermilk Pie with Wildberry Sauce. There was a sweet hint of blueberry followed by creamy and smooth Northwest profiles of black huckleberry, mulberry and pie crust.

Flavor Two: Tracy Dempsey, most known for her delectable and crafty desserts entered with her 2013 Gelato War Winner, the Camelback Crunch. A white chocolate with roasted pistachios, honey comb dried apricot and mixed with chocolate ganache. The pistachios created a great complexion with smooth flavor.

Flavor Three: Gio Osso from Virtu submitted with an unassuming, yet delicious take on a sweet and savory. Simple. Elegant. Italy. The prominence of sweet honey, toasted almonds and fresh baked biscotti were a “kick in your mouth good”. The flavors embellished memories of walking the streets of Venice.

Flavor Four: Josh Hebert of POSH and his white chocolate Stracciatella with Amarena Cherry Sauce was an uncommon combination for the cool treat. People sometimes don’t understand Josh’s genius creations, but if you get it, you get it. The bursts of fruit and decadent chocolate touch, remind me of why POSH is a Scottsdale treasure.

Flavor Five: Josh Bracher of The Second Story Liquor Bar. I have to elaborate because this flavor was enhanced once visiting the new rooftop bar above Gelato Spot. Rich wood, dim lighting and an escalated ambiance that you don’t come across often. The menu is staged as a story tell with not only restaurant “seasons”, but also episodes or new menu items throughout the season. Our table was given the candied cashews that were crushed atop Bracher’s Sage Brown Butter gelato. The salty, earthy complexion left me wanting to come back to both Gelato Spot and The Second Story Liquor Bar for more.

Flavor Six: When you hear Pig & Pickle, you automatically assume Chef Kennan Bosworth will incorporate bacon. However, he proved us wrong with his Goat Cheese and Carrot Cake Gelato. The three S’s were a champion of this flavor; Savory, Salty and Sweet.

Flavor Seven: Walter Sterling from Ocotillo, a new restaurant opening in late 2014, gave every Chocolate lover’s dream of the ultimate, intense cocoa sorbet. A Vegan Coconut Chocolate Sorbet with Smoked Almonds and Caramel melted in your mouth. It was a Vegan’s rocky road from heaven.

Flavor Eight: Matt Carter from The Mission, Zinc Bistro and The House Brassier surprised us with a sweet corn, truffle honey and wild blueberry sauce gelato. The earthy flavors were combined with the warm truffle, giving a taste of fall.

Flavor Nine: Known for its Smokey BBQ, Little Miss BBQ and head smoker, Scott Holmes presented the Smoked Banana Pudding with Vanilla Wafers gelato. The homemade wafers combined with the smoked banana balanced a sweet and rich flavor perfect for any sunny afternoon grill.

Flavor Ten: If you’ve been around the Valley, you’ve heard his name. Chef Michael O’Dowd is most respected for his creations at five-star and five-diamond restaurant, Kai Restaurant at Wild Horse Pass. Recently he has branched off into his own ventures starting with Renegade by MOD and most recently, his city art and local hangout, Urban Vine. MOD Mole was the handiwork; taste of Nutella at Christmas with a spicy finish. The peach chutney evened out the flavors and was reminiscent of Chef O’Dowd’s Arizona flair.

Want to know what I chose at the second Gelato Wars winner? Check our Facebook page on August 31 to see if my choice and the Chef with the most sales match up! Comment on this article in the comments section with your favorite for a chance to win a free scoop from Gelato Spot!