GELATO HAS been the talk of the town lately with the opening of the scrumptious gelato pop-up shop at the Imperial Hotel in Murwillumbah on Fridays and Saturdays from 3pm to 9pm.
The shop, Gelato & Co, is owned and operated by Gabrielle Nardi (pictured) who purchased the business in October 2016.
Although new to the world of Gelato, Gabrielle has been quick to educate herself in the fine Italian art by enlisting the help of ice cream connoisseurs.
“The business was previously called Cow & Milk and had used some sweeteners to create the gelato product,” she said.
“I wanted to learn the gelato process from scratch so I could develop new flavours and expand my skills.”
After months of training and paying for advanced courses under some of the best gelato makers in the business, Gabrielle has emerged with a gelato range and skillset that will blow your mind.
“I wanted to make top quality gelato by avoiding sweeteners and instead learning about the delicate balance between water and sugars and how they are combined to create top quality gelato,” she said.
“And the response has been amazing, I’m now developing a red wine gelato for a restaurant at Palm Beach.”
She hopes to eventually open a semi-permanent location in Murwillumbah pending a development application with Tweed Shire Council.
“We’re still working on the business opening permanently with the Imperial Hotel owner and Council, but we’re also taking orders for functions, weddings and wholesale,” she said.
Not previously having a background in gelato, Gabrielle has drawn on her retail experience in her family’s swimming pool business.
“We owned and operated the Palm Beach swimming pool for many years, so my background is not in gelato,” she said.
Gabrielle is also the daughter of an Australian sporting legend Michael Wenden who is a former champion swimmer and represented Australia in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico and 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.
In 1968, he won four medals including Gold in both the 100-metre and 200-metre freestyle (setting world records in each) and a silver and a bronze in freestyle relays.
Gabrielle says she hopes to help make Murwillumbah an arts and food hub.
“I think with the number of amazing restaurants and venues across Murwillumbah, I would love to help contribute to the high standard.”
To find out more about Gelato & Co phone Gabrielle on: 0414 368 250.