No, we don’t mean the machines, the process, or even the technique. We want to
tell you about the passion that goes into every batch of gelato we make, and how
it truly is artisan produced.
An artisan is a skilled worker who produces a product in a unique manner by
hand. This can cover a range of products from chocolate to furniture, and from
bread, to gelato.
Gelato Village is a culmination of a twenty year partnership between Daniele and
Antonio. They both hail from Torino, and have always had a colossal passion for
gelato. Both Daniele and Antonio left their jobs to pursue this passion of theirs,
and share it with all of us. Tireless effort, education and a thirst for all things
gelato has led them down the path to where they are today.
For Antonio, gelato is just like food to him. More nutritious than ice cream, he
often used it as a meal replacement in Italy:
“For me, it is a part of my culture. During my lunch break we would all go to have
gelato to fill ourselves up. If gelato is done correctly, it can provide you with energy
and an opportunity to socialize. I wanted to bring this part of my culture to
England.”
And that is precisely what Daniele and Antonio have done. But to get to where
they are now, took painstaking time and effort. We are all familiar with Italian
restaurants and in particular, pizza. We chase that ‘authentic’ Italian dining
experience, seeking out traditional restaurants. But what about Italian desserts?
Gelatarias are found nationwide in Italy, and independent gelatarias are more
popular than mass produced products. It was this authentic experience that
Antonio and Daniele wanted to bring to Leicester, a city where they both settled
many years ago.
The traditional aspect lies in the churning process known as ‘Mantecazione’. As
Antonio would put it:
“Artisan, by its very definition is slow. It’s not about how much you can produce,
with as little effort and time as possible. That is the focus of industry, to produce as
much as possible through continuous production. Ours is a different approach. It is
about perfecting each batch.”
It is this artisan approach that embodies Gelato Village’s approach. This
traditional slow-churning process of Mantecazione is what gives the gelato its
soft and creamy texture.
Gelato Village is meticulous in its ingredients. The flavours are always seasonal,
and being located less than 500 yards away from a fresh fruit market, they are
often in position to offer a variety of flavours – All fresh, and accustomed to local
tastes.
“Nobody is going to tell me what I put into my gelato. I decide.”
Daniele and Antonio both believe that the best gelato requires the best
ingredients. That is how you build upon the foundations of anything. The better
it begins, then the better the final product can be. If you’re making pistachio
gelato, then use the best pistachios. If it’s even something as simple as vanilla,
then use the best vanilla pods. This ‘no compromising’ attitude is what defines
Gelato Village in it’s quest to bring forth the best artisan produced gelato, and
best possible social experience to Leicester. The flavours are always region and
season specific. If it’s strawberry picking season in Leicestershire, than lets make
the best possible strawberry gelato by picking the all the best strawberries first.
If mango is a cultural staple for many of our customers? Then we better learn
which mangoes are the best, where we can get them from, and how we propose
to use them to make the best possible mango sorbet. Make no mistake, this is no
ordinary gelataria, and to call it just a dessert parlour is no less than an insult.
Starting from the beginning, Antonio enrolled at the Carpigiani University of
Gelato.
“I took this course, and I learnt what to buy, how to make the best flavours, and
most importantly, how to put it all together. I learnt from the best – People who
have been making gelato for generations. I have learnt so much from them, and I
am still learning. It is something that will never stop.”
The passion and commitment here is clear to see. For Gelato Village, the pleasure
is in the reaction of us. We who try the gelato. That is the ultimate aim. It’s not
enough to just convey the message by words, or even pictures. But in that
moment where patrons actually try the gelato – They then know the gelato. It
transcends words, and all other forms of communication. And that is the
reaction that Daniele, Antonio and the team at Gelato Village want to evoke. Go
ahead, try something different, and be prepared to be amazed.