What do you get when you put an ex-chef from Melbourne fine diner Lume's, the ex-head pastry chef from Middle Eastern favourite Maha and swill them together with a dash of inspiration and a fervent ardour for dessert? That'd be Kariton Sorbetes, a fun, new take on gelato inspired by the roaming street carts of the Phillipines. And for one weekend only, it's popping up in Sydney (thanks to a little partnership with much-loved Filipino eatery Cebu Lechon).
Head down to Enmore from Saturday 12pm to try a selection of five, structural flavours, each inspired by a traditional Filipino dessert or delicacy. The Ube Halaya tub tops purple yam gelato with purple yam jam, preserved blackberry puree and toasted coconut curds, while the Buko Pandan flavour pairs coconut and pandan gelato with a layer of pandan jelly, fresh mature coconut strips and crunchy, toasted rice flakes. For a tropical, essentially Filipino flavour, try the Turon, with ripe banana gelato, muscovado sugar caramel, fresh jackfruit pieces, candied sesame seeds and crispy spring roll wrapper.
While Kariton Sorbetes has been delivering its wares in small batches across Melbourne since March, this Cebu Lechon pop-up marks its first real life set-up. Each tub is $17.50, and it's recommend that you pre-order through Instagram or via email. If this weekend is even half as sweltering as the last, frozen treats are set to be in hot demand.