Carbonara, Guinness and Kulfy gelato make a debut in 2026 at SIGEP World

Artisan gelato remains not only a symbol of Italian excellence in 2026 but also a strategic asset for the global foodservice industry. With Gelato Meets Chains, SIGEP World has developed a project aimed at international restaurant, hotel, coffee shop and bakery chains, encouraging the inclusion of gelato in global menus. To reinforce this vision, the international campaign, called, “What is Gelato?” and the guide “Gelato meets Business” provided data, models, and concrete examples to demonstrate how gelato can generate high margins, seasonally adjusted consumption, and a rapid return on investment at the show, held 16 – 20 January in Rimini, Italy.

Five brands, one shared vision of innovation, and dozens of gelato flavours came together on Casa Optima’s 1,000 m² stand at SIGEP 2026. Returning once again to the show, the world’s leading multi-brand group in Italian artisanal gelato showcased a portfolio of solutions for a market that continues to move far beyond traditional nocciola gelato.

The Group’s brands – MEC3, Giuso, Modecor, Pernigotti Maestri Gelatieri Italiani and DOuMIX – presented a wide range of gelato and confectionery products and ingredients with an increasingly strong focus on innovation, which in 2025 alone generated revenues of nearly €30 million and now represents a record 12% share of the group’s total turnover.

Casa Optima stood out with over 500 new launches, driven by partnerships such as MEC3’s collaboration with Guinness and Cointreau. “We’re the only brand with an exclusive co-marketing partnership with such appreciated beer and liqueur brands,” explains Arianna Denicolò, PR and media relations at Casa Optima.

From the historic Irish dark beer comes the new Guinness gelato flavour, where a sweet-and-savoury pretzel paste intertwines with the distinctive dark beer caramel Guinness variegate.
For those seeking something more fruit-forward, Cointreau Gelato offers a lively white chocolate and orange flavour. It is an indulgence that introduces a new language of style, aroma and colour to the gelato parlour, the company says.

When speaking of flavour trends, the Dubai chocolate phenomenon continues to conquer the market, driven by “consumers who are increasingly curious and eager to experiment with new flavours, surprising textures and original combinations,” Denicolò adds. Translating this trend into a new proposal, MEC3 is set to launch Dubai caramel chocolate in 2026. Inspired by the world’s most famous chocolate bar, the flavour features a blonde chocolate-flavoured gelato made with Chocogold cream paste, paired with Dubai caramel chocolate. It is a caramel cream enriched with crunchy kadaifi and salted caramel.

To welcome India, the guest country for SIGEP 2026, MEC3’s Oriental Tales line sees a new edition: Kulfi cream, a flavour inspired by the unmistakable Indian dessert. Enhanced by the crunchiness of the pistachio and salted cashew grains and by the aromatic notes of saffron and cardamom, this flavour is described as a sensory journey that invites consumers to rethink what they know about gelato, the firm notes.

Carbonara gelato: a twist on tradition

From smoked salmon and tuna spread to avocado and classic carbonara, the MEC3 Salty Creations line has proved to be a canvas for creative gelato artisans. According to Flavia Morelli, group exhibition manager food & beverage division at IEG, “In premium hotels, trends show that revenue increasingly comes from food experiences such as breakfast and room service. People are attending hotels more for the food experience.” From dinner to lunch, snacks or aperitifs, savoury gelato now finds its place in room service menus. “The avocado flavour is ideal as a replacement for oil in salads, adding extra creaminess,” Denicolò adds.

Credit: Ines Coutinho

Launched in 2022, the line was developed to enhance savoury gelato recipes and create new consumption occasions, expanding the offer for artisanal gelato and soft-serve shops, as well as bars, bistros, restaurants and the catering industry.

Gelato and pastry come together

With Giuso, heritage and innovation come together to create solutions that respond to the evolving needs of gelato and pastry professionals. Rooted in a strong tradition, the brand continually reinterprets its know-how through a modern lens, supported by an ongoing commitment to innovation that reflects the Group’s vision. 

This approach is embodied in the collaboration between Giuso and Matilde Vicenzi, which gave rise to the Kit Gelato Millefoglie Matilde Vicenzi. A new addition to the Tradizione e Italianità line, the product transforms a classic into a gelato reinterpretation, celebrating Italian pastry excellence in a contemporary format.

Credit: Ines Coutinho

SIGEP global figures: international supply and demand from 160 countries

SIGEP 2026 saw a significant increase in international participation, with a 33% rise in foreign exhibitors from 45 countries, alongside a strong and high quality Italian presence. New entries include Canada, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Ecuador, Estonia, Serbia, Singapore, Nepal and the Czech Republic. This global initiative received a strong response, confirming the success of the previous edition: operators from 160 countries, with almost one in four visitors coming from abroad. 

India was the Guest Country for 2026, with a delegation of 50 top buyers, institutional representatives, and exhibitors specialising in ice cream technology, confirming the dynamism of the Indian market in the foodservice and hospitality sectors.

The “Top Buyer Program”, a strategic collaboration between the Italian Trade agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, played a crucial role in bringing 500 buyers from 75 countries to Rimini, with a notable representation from the United States, India, Canada, China, Brazil, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Singapore. The encounter between supply and demand resulted in 5,650 business meetings, confirming SIGEP World as a working platform for international business development.

SIGEP World is set to return to the Rimini Expo Centre in January 2027 for its 48^th edition.