Category: Itaberco Happenings

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Itaberco Happenings

IBIE 2025: Connections, Creativity, Collaboration

IBIE 2025: Connections, Creativity, Collaboration

The International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) brings together the brightest minds and boldest ideas in the baking industry.

Itaberco is always proud to have space at this esteemed event. We’re honored to have shared flavors, sparked conversations, and connected with so many of you. 

Check out some of our favorite moments from IBIE 2025.

While our incredible Production, R+D, and Warehouse teams held down the fort in Maryland, these are the faces you met in Vegas.

Xander Stout – Beverage Specialist, Jasika Sebkarshad – Brand Manager , Chef Adalberto Diaz – Itaberco Brand Ambassador / Fillings and Emulsions , Alisondra Tamilio-Awed – Sales and Marketing Manager, Chef Steve Konopelski – Itaberco Corporate Pastry Chef , Berj Ghazarian – Present – Itaberco, Inc.

The Menu

Our 2025 IBIE menu featured a Trompe l’Oeil theme: desserts that look familiar but surprise with unexpected flavors.

Pastry Menu

  • Macarons
  • Cheesecake Panna Cotta
  • Bananas Foster Tres Leches Cake
  • Brownie Pot de Crème
  • Cherries Jubilee Tart
  • Key Lime Pie Tiramisu
  • Mixed Berry Crumble Mousse Bomb
  • Fruit Fritter Cupcake
  • Fluffernutter and Jelly Sandwiches
  • Assorted Gummy Candies
  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Truffle
  • Dubai Chocolate Cereal Treats

Soft Serve

  • Chocolate Covered Strawberry
  • Lemon Meringue Pie
  • Honey Goat Cheese
  • Pecan Pie

Looking to recreate some of the treats we shared at IBIE?
You’ll find them in our handbooks:

We are always blown away by the ingenuity, entrepreneurial spirit and talent of our community. You inspire us to work harder and dream bigger every day. We are honored to be partners in your food and beverage journey!

See you in 2028 IBIE!

Learn More About How Itaberco Can Add Value to Your Menu Today!

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August Soft Serve Cup

August Itaberco Soft Serve Cup

A monthly Itaberco in-house competition where our team pushes the boundaries of what soft serve can be.

From unexpected flavor combinations to beautiful, imaginative presentations, it’s a celebration of innovation, collaboration, and of course—deliciousness.

How We Judge:

Every entry is rated by the Itaberco team on a 1–10 scale in the following categories:

  • Taste – Flavor balance, texture, and overall deliciousness
  • Presentation – Visual impact and creative plating
  • Creativity – Inventiveness of flavor combinations, themes, and toppings
  • Maximum score: 30 points

See the Contest Vlog Below!

Eastern Shore Honey Roasted Sweet Corn Swirled with Buttermilk Peach & Basil Soft Serve

Our August Team scored major points by bringing it home with local Eastern Shore Maryland flavors with their creation “Eastern Shore Farmstand”
Local honey roasted sweet corn, paired with local peaches, buttermilk, and basil, topped with cornflake crunch, hot honey, and micro basil! Summer at the shore in soft serve form!

Pulling in flavors that feel both nostalgic and elevated, the team set out to capture the essence of a farm-to-table and transform it into an unforgettable frozen treat experience.

All employee creations are available in our Soft Serve Recipe Handbook! Download it today to learn more.

Download our Soft Serve Handbook

Learn More About How Itaberco Can Add Value to Your Menu Today!

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July Soft Serve Cup

Welcome to the Itaberco Soft Serve Cup

A monthly Itaberco in-house competition where our team pushes the boundaries of what soft serve can be.

From unexpected flavor combinations to beautiful, imaginative presentations, it’s a celebration of innovation, collaboration, and of course—deliciousness.

How We Judge:

Every entry is rated by the Itaberco team on a 1–10 scale in the following categories:

  • Taste – Flavor balance, texture, and overall deliciousness
  • Presentation – Visual impact and creative plating
  • Creativity – Inventiveness of flavor combinations, themes, and toppings
  • Maximum score: 30 points

See the Contest Vlog Below!

Hummingbird Cake Inspired Soft Serve

Vegan Roasted Banana Oat Milk Soft Serve swirled with Toasted Coconut Soft Serve, Butter Pecan Tuile, Caramelized Pineapple Sauce, and Cheesecake Mousse.

Sweet, tropical, buttery with a little tang and just enough crunch!

All employee creations are available in our Soft Serve Recipe Handbook! Download it today to learn more!

Download our Soft Serve Handbook

Learn More About Our Flavor Options Today!

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July 2025 Fundementals of Flavor Masterclass with Chef Steve Konopelski

On July 28th, Itaberco hosted an exclusive, Fundamentals of Flavor masterclass led by Chef Steve Konopelski.

The class was designed for chefs and soft serve pros looking to elevate their craft. Flavor isn’t just a taste—it’s a total experience shaped by smell, texture, temperature, and memory. In our Fundamentals of Flavor workshop, we broke down the five basic tastes, explored the science of perception, and demonstrated techniques to build and balance flavor in soft serve and beyond. From hands-on tasting stations to creative applications of flavor compounds, it was an immersive session full of insight and inspiration.

Topics Covered in the Fundamentals of Flavor Workshop:

  • Defining Flavor
     We started with a breakdown of flavor as both a taste and a concept—covering its role in culinary identity and creativity.

     

  • The Five Basic Tastes
     Attendees explored the function and balance of sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami—learning how to counter or complement each through real-world examples and product tasting.

     

  • Flavor Is Subjective
     We discussed how biology, smell, mouthfeel, temperature, and personal experience all shape the way we perceive flavor.

     

  • Flavor Experiments
     Attendees moved through tasting and smelling stations to test their sensory intuition—guessing, identifying, and reflecting on the flavors they experienced.
soft serve

Techniques to Impart Flavor

  • Infusion: We demonstrated hot steeping, cold steeping, and pressurized methods using soft serve bases.
  • Addition: We incorporated flavor through compounds, purees, fats, powders, and juices—showing how each affects the final product.
  • Inclusion: From sauces to toppings and garnishes, we explored how layering texture and flavor creates depth and visual appeal.

Working with Flavor Compounds

We reviewed how to use flavor compounds effectively—ideal ratios, timing for various applications, and how to enhance or contrast flavors with precision.

Creative Uses of Compounds

The class ended with fun, unexpected applications like flavored sugars, honeys, compound butters, and fruit tosses.

Live Q&A

We wrapped with a collaborative Q&A where attendees shared ideas, asked questions, and got specific tips from our team.

See the Masterclass in Action!

Want to Learn More?
Discover the Art and Science Behind Flavor

Master the five core tastes and explore practical techniques to transform your desserts, drinks, and more. 

Download our Fundamentals of Flavor eBook and elevate every bite with intention.

Download Today

Contact us today to learn more about our products or inquire about our next master class.

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Pro‑Level Soft Serve Masterclass with Chef Steve Konopelski

Pro‑Level Soft Serve Masterclass with Chef Steve Konopelski. June 2, 2025 | Itaberco Headquarters, Stevensville, MDs

On June 2nd, Itaberco hosted an exclusive, pro‑level soft serve masterclass led by Chef Steve Konopelski.

Designed for chefs and soft serve pros looking to elevate their craft. From advanced techniques and creative ideas to operational tips, this hands‑on morning was packed with actionable insights for creating standout soft serve offerings.

The day started with a welcome breakfast and a behind‑the‑scenes facility tour, setting the stage for an interactive workshop with Chef Steve — a chance to gain valuable knowledge, refine soft serve programs, and surprise guests with new ideas and flavors.

See The Class Video Below!

Topics Covered:
  • Flavor Methods (Infusion, Inclusion, Addition)
  • Presentation Techniques
  • Best Practices
  • Tasting Session
  • Question and Answer Period
  • One‑on‑One Appointments with Chef Steve
Recipe’s Covered:

Explore more recipes in our Soft Serve Recipe Handbook.

Unlock Hundreds of Recipes & Expert Tips! 

Access to our Soft Serve Recipe Handbook – featuring unique flavor combinations, step-by-step instructions, and professional insights to elevate your creations.

Contact us to be added to our Guest List and follow along on socials for behind the scenes Itaberco Happenings!

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Elote Soft Serve Employee Creation

Introducing The Itaberco Soft Serve Cup

Welcome to the Itaberco Soft Serve Cup — a monthly internal competition where our team pushes the boundaries of what soft serve can be.

From unexpected flavor combinations to beautiful, imaginative presentations, it’s a celebration of innovation, collaboration, and of course—deliciousness.

How We Judge:

Every entry is rated by the Itaberco team on a 1–10 scale in the following categories:

  • Taste – Flavor balance, texture, and overall deliciousness
  • Presentation – Visual impact and creative plating
  • Creativity – Inventiveness of flavor combinations, themes, and toppings
  • Maximum score: 30 points

See The Contest Vlog Below!

Inspired By Mexican Street Corn

This bold soft serve is an unexpected fusion of savory, sweet, and spicy.

Layers include:

  • Cotija & corn-infused base
  • Bright lime curd swirl
  • Cilantro + lime zest garnish
  • Chipotle caramel popcorn crunch

“This soft serve will make you question the boundaries of what soft serve can be.”

Bold flavor pairings to eye-catching garnishes, the Soft Serve Cup showcases what’s possible when imagination meets expertise. Now, you can bring that same spirit to your own menu. Download our Itaberco Soft Serve Handbook for exclusive recipes, pro tips, and inspiration straight from our team’s winning creations or contact us today to start your own flavor conversation!

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