Use of beets lands Okinawan gelato second place in Gelato World Cup

Use of beets lands Okinawan gelato second place in Gelato World Cup

Katsuya Yonemori who won second prize at the Gelato World Cup, taken on February 2 at La Vous in Ginowan City.


February 3, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

On January 24, Katsuya Yonemori, a 21-year-old from Tomigusuku City because the first Japanese to win second place in the freestyle category of the SIGEP 2017 Gelato World Cup. About 150 people from around the world competed in this category. Despite having only a year of experience as a gelato artisan, Yonemori is the shop manager of La Vous, a gelato shop in Ginowan City. Having achieved a remarkable accomplishment, Yonemori voiced his ambition in the following: “[I] want to make gelato using ingredients specifically from Okinawa and to share it with the rest of the world.”

Yonemori titled his gelato, “Aroma of Earth,” which combined beets, mint leaves, rosemary, and Okinawan lemon. Beets are often used only for coloring. But rather than doing just that, Yonemori made beets the centerpiece, brought out the vivid color and sweetness of it and fused it with the sourness of lemon. This resulted in the refreshing taste that gave it its high marks.

Yonemori was enthusiastic. He said, “Last year, when [I] accompanied my mentor to participate [in the Gelato World Cup, I] learned that vivid colors are favored. That gave [me] the idea to use beets. [I’m] so overwhelmed by the gravity of the award, [I] could explode. [I] hope to take home first prize during the Japan competition this coming September.”

Taizo Shibano from Ishikawa Prefecture is Yonemori’s mentor and is the first Asian to be appointed as a world gelato ambassador. He was thrilled about Yonemori’s accomplishment and said, “[Yonemori] thinking outside of the box and [his] idea to use the beets as the centerpiece is what got it its high marks. I’m ecstatic.” “Aroma of Earth” will be rolled out sequentially at the four La Vous shops in Okinawa starting February 3.

This year was the 38th Edition of SIGEP, which drew in 200-thousand people and is the world’s biggest exhibition that specializes in gelato. The competition is held every year during the exhibition and is evaluated from various angles, such as flavor composition, color, and innovation.

Photograph:

Katsuya Yonemori who won second prize at the Gelato World Cup, taken on February 2 at La Vous in Ginowan City.

(English translation by T&CT and Chelsea Ashimine)

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