When I think of traveling to Italy in November, images of truffle hunting in the hills of Piedmont, roasting chestnuts in our kitchen in Rome, or visiting holiday markets with mulled wine in hand come to mind. But if you head south to Sicily, November brings a completely different kind of culinary magic.
From November 13 to 16, 2026, Palermo transforms into the capital of gelato as it hosts the 18th edition of the Sherbeth Festival, an international artisan gelato festival. Even more exciting? I was selected to be a judge on this year’s Critics’ Jury. Here is an inside look at what makes Sherbeth a fun event for food lovers.
What is the Sherbeth Festival?
Born in the seaside town of Cefalù in 2007 before finding its permanent home in Palermo, the event brings together 60 master gelato makers from 5 continents. For four days, the historic heart of Palermo, stretching from Piazza Verdi and the Teatro Massimo down via Maqueda, becomes an open-air laboratory. International maestros aren’t just scooping out standard strawberry and chocolate. They showcase cutting-edge techniques, seasonal ingredients, and deeply personal storytelling through original gelato flavors
photo © Fausto Nieddu
Visitors walk the historic center using the festival’s official digital currency, “Tasty”, trying everything from traditional Sicilian granitas to avant-garde creations.
The Francesco Procopio Cutò Award
The pinnacle of the festival is the competition for the Francesco Procopio Cutò Award, named after the legendary 17th-century Sicilian entrepreneur who made gelato popular in Paris. The award recognizes gelato craftsmanship. Historically, winners were chosen strictly by a technical jury analyzing the science of taste, mouthfeel, and structural balance but gelato is an art form as much as a science. Which is why Sherbeth features a Critics’ Jury alongside the technical panel. Composed of food journalists, writers, and culinary experts this panel is tasked with looking beyond the laboratory analytics.
photo © Fausto Nieddu
What the Critics’ Jury Will Be Tasting For
While the technical judges measure balance and melting points, the Critics’ Jury focuses on the narrative. We will evaluate:
- The Storytelling: How well does the flavor connect to a specific territory, family tradition, or history?
- Originality: Are the flavor combinations genuinely innovative, or are they just trying to shock the palate?
- Impact: Does the gelato evoke an emotion? Does it leave a lasting impression?
With 60 gelato makers presenting 60 distinct flavors, the competition will be fiercely delicious.
photo © Fausto Nieddu
If you happen to be in Italy this November and love gelato like I do, Sherbeth is a great excuse to visit Sicily. November in Palermo means comfortable t-shirt weather, autumn light, and no massive tour crowds at historic sites like the Palermo Cathedral, the Capo market or Teatro Massimo.
You get to experience authentic Sicilian life at a slower, more deliberate pace, and eat world-class gelato while doing it.
photo © Fausto Nieddu
Stay tuned to our social media as I take us behind the scenes at the Teatro Politeama Garibaldi. I can’t wait to taste – I mean share the winning flavors and the stories behind them. I hope to see you there.
Planning a future trip to Sicily? We have you covered! Explore our curated Sicily culinary experiences in the cities and surrounding areas of Palermo. Siracusa, Catania/Mt. Etna, Ragusa/Modica, and Marsala & Agrigento
