The Piccolina Gelato Project: 8 Chefs in 8 Weeks — Season 3

Overview

Remember Piccolina's epic Gelato Project? Well, it's back for an even bigger, better third iteration. If you missed this last year, it's an eight-week partnership between Melbourne's much-loved gelateria and eight innovative local chefs, inviting this group of kitchen heroes to take over the specials board.

The Piccolina Gelato Project will once again see eight Melbourne chefs each have a crack at impressing the masses with their gelato game. A different name will step up to the plate each week, teaming up with Piccolina's Sandra Foti to create three special flavours that capture the spirit of their respective restaurant — along with a healthy dose of personal flair, of course. That's 24 new flavours dropping.

Image: Chef Coskun Uysal

This year features a diverse line-up of culinary superstars, from Ross Magnaye (Serai) and Nornie Bero (Mabu Mabu) to Charley Snadden-Wilson (Clover Wine). Others on the lineup include Ella Mittas (Author Ela! Ela!), Nagesh Seethian (Manzé), Ellie Bouhadana (Hope St Radio), Coskun Uysal (Tulum) and Brigitte Hafner (Tedesca Osteria).

Piccolina takes a bit of a punt with this one. They give each chef free creative reign to drop flavour bombs on unsuspecting customers. For Uysal, that involves tapping into his Anatolian-Turkish heritage, with creations like chicken and milk pudding, and melon Raki sorbet with feta cheese and mint oil.

"I strive to entice people to step outside their comfort zones and explore something different," Uysal says. "Although the flavour combinations may be unconventional, they work harmoniously."

Image: Piccolina, Social Quarter

Keep an eye out for Bero's week too: she's planning to use native ingredients like wattleseed, peppermint gum, rosella and quandong.

"Given our core brand values of creativity, integrity and originality, we're thrilled with what the chefs have come up with and feel they have really taken it to the next level," says Piccolina founder, Sandra Foti.

Roll into any Piccolina outpost to find these inventive desserts from Wednesday, June 21 to Tuesday, August 15.

Images: supplied.