CIAO BELLA® Wins 17th sofi™ Gold Award at NASFT Summer Fancy Food Show

Sorbet, gelato, and ice cream brand takes top honors in Outstanding Dessert Category for Belgian Chocolate S’mores Gelato

Ciao Bella wins 17th award

Washington, D.C (July 12, 2011) – Ciao Bella tasted sweet victory at the 39th Annual sofi™ Awards last night, picking up gold in the Outstanding Dessert or Dessert Topping category for its Belgian Chocolate S’mores Gelato. The win marks Ciao Bella’s second consecutive win in the category, as the brand’s Key Lime Graham Gelato Squares took the honors at the 2010 awards.

The win brings Ciao Bella’s grand total to 17 sofiTM Awards in as many years, recognition handed out by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) which presents the awards to highlight the best in specialty food and beverages – “sofi” stands for Specialty Outstanding Food Innovation.

“For Ciao Bella, winning a 17th sofi™ Award is dually a humbling honor and a testament to our company’s mission to bring deliciously innovative desserts to consumers, ” said Deborah Holt, vice president of marketing and sales for Ciao Bella. “We are thrilled that NASFT has recognized our Belgian Chocolate S’mores Gelato, an indulgent and contemporary take on a classic treat.”

Part of Ciao Bella’s 2011 product line, Belgian Chocolate S’mores is a grown-up rendition of a childhood favorite: temptingly creamy and classically decadent , this chef-inspired blend of Belgian chocolate gelato with chocolate chunks and marshmallow swirls is sure to seduce taste buds. In addition to the award-winning 16 oz. pint, the nostalgic flavor is also available in sandwich form: Ciao Bella Belgian Chocolate S’mores Gelato Squares. Rounding out Ciao Bella’s 2011 product offerings is this year’s sofi™ Silver Finalist in the Outstanding Diet and Lifestyle Category, Blueberry Passion Sorbet Bars.

The Belgian Chocolate S’mores Gelato and Blueberry Passion Sorbet Bars were among 125 sofi™ Silver Finalists selected from a record 2,326 contenders in 33 categories this year by a national panel of specialty food experts. The winners were announced by noted chef, cookbook author and “Iron Chef America” star Cat Cora at a red carpet ceremony on July 11 at the 57th Summer Fancy Food Show in Washington, D.C. www.ciaobellagelato.com,  www.facebook.com/ciaobella ,  www.twitter.com/ciaobellagelato

About CIAO BELLA®:
Fondly called America’s Gelato, Ciao Bella began in New York’s Little Italy and has been Tempting taste buds since 1983. Crafted like no other, Ciao Bella’s indulgent collection of gelato and sorbet creates moments of happiness everywhere with an unparalleled, incredibly unique dessert experience. We simply rely on a chef inspired blend of pure, naturally intense ingredients and a passion for evoking pleasure and delight in every frozen bite. Offering unique and intense flavors like Blood Orange Sorbet and Key Lime Graham Cracker Gelato, Ciao Bella uses only the most elite and pure ingredients, resulting in ultra-premium frozen specialties which embody both classic Italy and modern America. The brand has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show and on AOL’s home page for its captivating and mouthwatering creations.

About sofi™:

The sofi™ Awards are open to members of the NASFT, a not-for-profit trade association established in 1952 to foster commerce and interest in the specialty food industry. Today there are more than 2,900 members in the U.S. and abroad. For further information on the NASFT and its sofi Awards, go to www.specialtyfood.com/sofi.

Ciao Bella’s other sofi™ Gold Awards include:

Key Lime Graham Gelato Squares – 2010; Key Lime Graham Gelato – 2009;  Blackberry Cabernet Sorbet– 2007; Lebanese Yogurt Gelato – 2007; Best Product Line Pints – 2006; Blood Orange Sorbet– 2006; Scharffen Berger Chocolate Gelato – 2005; Pistachio Gelato – 2005; Dark Chocolate Sorbet– 2004; Fresh Mint Gelato – 2002; Raspberry Sorbet– 2001; Valrhona Chocolate Gelato – 2001; Mango Sorbet – 2000; Tahitian Vanilla Gelato – 1999; Passion Fruit Sorbet– 1998; Hazelnut Biscotti Gelato – 1997

Visit Ciao Bella at the Summer Fancy Food Show – July 10th – July 12th – Booth# 3333.

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The Malted Milk Ball Gelato is sure to be in my freezer all summer long.

On Wednesday, I went food shopping with my mom at ShopRite because she needed to refill our freezer with some frozen goodies.  When she went to pick up our deli order at the end of our trip, she sent me to the frozen section to get gelato. As I walked away, she said, “Don’t forget my favorite!” As I found the Ciao Bella section, my immediate thought was “Uh oh…” No Malted Milk Ball Gelato to be found.

So what did I do? I stacked up on MY favorite flavors. When we met at the cash register, she saw four Ciao Bella pints in my hand but none of them were her favorite flavor. She gave me a look as if I had forgotten but I said, “Mom, they didn’t have any Malted Milk Ball Gelato, but you can have some of the Mango Sorbet.”

Our freezer is always full of yummy treats in the summer. After dinner, we’ll each take a few scoops of our favorite flavors and go out on the back patio. A perfect way to stay cool, enjoy the outdoors and spend some quality time with loved ones!

Traveling to NYC or San Francisco this summer? Head out to one of our gelato bars. Be sure to try some flavors that aren’t available in stores like the Grapefruit Campari Sorbet or Lebanese Yogurt. These tantalizing flavors will help you beat the city heat as the temperatures soar.

NYC Bars: Grand Central Terminal, World Financial Center, or 92^nd Street

Bay Area Bars: Ferry Building or Corte Madera