All viral desserts in one place: The sweetest festival returns to the South

The viral croissant, the knafeh prepared on-site, and the tiramisu that never stops being photographed for Instagram: The Southern Dessert Festival returns to Kiryat Gat – and this time, it is bigger, more decadent, and sweeter. For three days, the BIG Carmei Gat complex will transform into a pilgrimage site for sweet tooths, with dozens of pastry chefs, bakeries, and dessert creators from all over the country arriving to showcase the most prominent trends in the Israeli dessert world.

The festival, which will be held between May 27 and 29 in collaboration with the Kiryat Gat Municipality, has quickly become one of Israel's most prominent stages for dessert brands, patisseries, and sweet food entrepreneurs. This year, well-known names from the pastry world will take part, including Or Yosef, Amosserei, FATISH, Pnina Pie, Holy Crack Pie, Stroopy, Burrlia, Shani Kedar, Noa Einat, Asaf Grushkovski, Manal Ismail, Lorans, Candela, and more.

This year as well, quite a few viral desserts are expected to be sold at the festival alongside elaborate classics and contemporary pastries. Or Yosef will arrive with her signature mushroom dessert and Krembo, alongside a rose mousse with a white chocolate disc on shortcrust pastry. Asaf Grushkovski will offer authentic Italian cannoli, tiramisu, and baba au rhum, while Amosserie will bring his viral pistachio desserts, lemon-lime tart, and rich banoffee.

Shani Kedar will present crunch desserts in raspberry, popcorn, peanut, and pecan flavors, and Noa Einat will arrive with Dubai pistachio desserts, tiramisu, individual trifles, and white chocolate cornflake nougat. Manal Ismail will prepare fresh knafeh on-site in front of the audience, Pnina Pie will offer cream puffs, eclairs, and lemon pie, and FATISH will sell decadent croissants, soufflé, and Amsterdam-style giant cookies.

Also at the festival: Fresh Dutch stroopwafels by Stroopy, flavored crack pies by Holy Crack Pie, brulee desserts by Burrlia bubble tea drinks by Jungle Tea, crepes and ice cream, and even candles designed in the shape of desserts at the Candela stall. Alongside the culinary celebration, a special complex will also be established this year for businesses from the North that were impacted during the war, including Koron Patisserie, Tosha Bakery, and Yaeli Bakery. The operation of the complex will be carried out on a volunteer basis by youth from the SAHI organization, with the proceeds dedicated to the organization's activities in the northern region.

According to the Mayor of Kiryat Gat, Kfir Swisa, the festival has become a significant culinary event that attracts audiences from all over the country and combines culture, business, and community.