Gelato franchise, Gelatissimo, has won three state and one national award in the Foxtel Lifestyle Channel’s I Love Food Awards 2012 dessert category.

Gelatissimo won the Favourite Dessert/Ice Cream/Gelato category for ACT, Queensland and South Australia, with Queensland also taking out the prestigious national title of Favourite Dessert.

The ACT award was won by the Canberra City franchisees, Erwin and Cin Tanaja. The South Australian award was a combined effort by two Adelaide franchises, the Gouger Street gelateria owned by Gino Patini and Tony Glagliardi and the Rundle Street gelateria owned by Joe Calava.

However, the big winners were husband and wife team of Mark and Kathy Blake, whose hugely popular Mooloolaba gelateria won both the state and national titles.

“Seeing Gelatissimo honoured alongside some of AustraliaÕs most iconic culinary names is immensely satisfying,” said joint CEO, Domenico Lopresti.

“It once again shows how the combination of Gelatissimo’s authentic Italian recipes and dedication to making gelato fresh in every single store using premium ingredients produces an artisan product that our competitors just can’t match.”