The Gelato Disaster

We had a little gelato disaster at work last week.

I wasn't laughing when it happened, seeing as how I almost ruined a party for 60 people, but I'm totally laughing about it now.



Last Thursday we had our semi-annual department get-together.

Instead of the usual spring Ice Cream Social, the Directors wanted to jazz things up a bit with an Italian theme.

Even though I was going to have to do all of the work, I was actually pretty excited. Gelato! Brioche! Biscotti! I even ordered specialty sauces, waffle cones and a coffee cart with barista to serve espresso. It was going to be awesome.

On Wednesday, I went to the gelato shop and loaded up the 8 gallons, took it all back to work, and put everything in the employee fridge.

On Thursday, after everything was set-up, we grabbed the gelato out of the fridge and lined it up on the table.

Co-worker: Um, Laural? I think we have a problem?

Me: What's wrong?

Co-worker: The consistency? It seems to be completely melted.

And it was. Because did you catch the part where I took it out of the FRIDGE?

Yep, I put $200 worth of gelato into the FRIDGE. Instead of the freezer.

I have no idea what I was thinking.

We frantically tossed around a few ideas, like serving milkshakes, or pretending that people were just mistaken about gelato being on the menu. What gelato? Here, have a macaroon!

Luckily, our building's cafe had some ice cream on hand and came to our rescue. And not a single person noticed that it wasn't the promised gelato. Even though the tubs said Ice Cream all over the outside.

One person even told me it was the best gelato they had ever had!

And the people helping me out, the ones in the know, didn't say a word. I will have their backs FOREVER.

So a crisis was diverted, but now we have all of that gelato in the freezer (at least I got it right the second time around). It may have frozen solid as a rock, because it was liquidy when we put it in, but a little defrosting should bring it back.

Some seriously delicious flavors keep calling my name. Do not be surprised if every Friday the freezer suspiciously contains one less gallon of gelato, as I secret it away in my new giant purse. I knew that thing would come in handy.