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.

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

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