Honours for lifetime achievement
Credit where credit is due!
As part of GELATISSIMO 2024, special personalities were honoured this year for their life's work. They have achieved extraordinary things and enriched the gelato industry with their tireless efforts. DarioFontanella from Mannheim and Sergio Dondoli from Florence have made a name for themselves as gelatieri and were honoured for their work at GELATISSIMO 2024.
The renowned gelatieri Sergio Dondoli from Florence and Dario Fontanella from Mannheim were honoured for their outstanding contributions to the worldwide promotion of ice cream culture with the honorary award of the ice cream publishing house Editrade Srl from Milan, the German-Italian Chamber of Commerce ITALCAM Munich and the GELATISSIMO trade fair. As a special guest, we also welcomed the Consul General of the Italian Republic in Stuttgart, Mr Massimiliano Lagi, who attended the event.
The guests of honour
The impressive biography of Sergio Dondoli begins when he was born on Saturday 12 September 1953 in the beautiful Tuscan town of Monteriggioni. His love of gastronomy found expression early on when he enrolled at the "F. Martini" State Vocational Institute for Gastronomy and Hospitality in Montecatini Terme after leaving school. From 1967 to 1971, he successfully completed the hotel concierge course and was trained as a concierge.
Driven by a thirst for adventure and a desire for independence, his path led him to Germany where, after various catering experiences, he settled in a small village on the beach near Kiel in Schleswig-Holstein in 1974. There he ran local bars and hotels before opening his own pizzeria.
During a visit to an ice cream parlour, he met Franca, the love of his life. The two married on 30 May 1979 and became proud parents of three children: Valeria Eleonora, Stefano and Sara Serena.
Sergio Dondoli is not only an experienced gelato maker, but also a pioneer in the production of artisan ice cream. His unique journey has taken him from Italy via Germany and France to his own gastronomic business.
Discover the fascinating world of Sergio Dondoli and his deep commitment to spreading the authentic Italian gelato culture. Immerse yourself in his passions, experiences and exquisite recipes in his book "Io, Sergio Dondoli - Storia, Passioni e ricette di un gelatiere italiano".
The rich tradition of the Fontanella family began in the early 20th century, when grandfather Michelangelo Fontanella moved from the mountain village of "Astragal" in the Zoldo Valley to Conegliano. In 1906, his brothers founded the Gelateria Pasticceria Fontanella there, which was the foundation stone for a successful family business. Mario Fontanella, Michelangelo's son, learnt his profession there and ventured to Germany with his brother Giovanni in 1931.
The family established themselves in Mannheim and opened the first Italian ice cream parlour in the "Engen Planken" in 1933. Despite adversity during the Second World War and bombing raids on the night of 5-6 September 1943, Mario Fontanella continued to build up his ice cream parlour.
Dario Fontanella, Mario's son, joined the family business in 1970 and took over the management in 1985. With his passion for "Gelato artigianale", he continued the tradition and brought a breath of fresh air to the ice cream parlour with innovative ideas and renovations. In 2003, the range was expanded and in 2016, the Intermezzo di Dario Fontanella opened on Münzplatz square.
Dario Fontanella is best known for inventing spaghetti ice cream in 1969, when his creation revolutionised the way ice cream was served and became an instant success. The Fontanella family stands for quality, tradition, passion and innovation. With a modern ice cream factory and a wide range of classic and unusual ice cream flavours, they continue to set standards in the field of artisan ice cream.
Fontanella's philosophy, the "Originale Gelato Italiano", is based on selected raw materials, traditional production methods and a clear dedication to quality. In addition to the ice cream parlour in Mannheim, the ice cream manufacturer also supplies upscale restaurants and presents its delicacies at various events.
