GELATO : FROM ITALY TO DELHI

While walking in the busy streets of Hauz Khas Village and being a voyeur to the fight amongst the car driver, the traffic man and the bike driver, we (me and my friends) spotted an ice cream van which somehow caught our attention. The employee (Lalit) who was there was saying that Ma’am please try these flavors and it is only after trying that you can buy if you want to. Owing to the slow processing of my brain,it was after a minute when he finished talking that I realized Lalit was talking to me. We tried Swiss chocolate and since chocolate is the only flavor I know or want to know in the world, I loved it. So we bought a cup of Swiss chocolate and the next time, Swiss chocolate plus chocolate chips.

‘Gelato Roma,’ which literally means ‘icecream’ in Italy is owned by three Italians. One of them, Michael (hope I spelt you right Michael or forgive me otherwise) stays here in Hauz Khas Village. Michael is in India since 10 years. The other partner who is in Italy is an actual Gelato Chef and it was him who came up with this idea. And since Michael is the one who knows better about India, he is the one who manages everything here. It was just an experiment they wanted to try (and in my eyes they are doing wonderfully!). And since it would be out on streets, they were pretty apprehensive that if it would attract much crowd (I lost the count of no. of people who were coming for the icecreams!). They have around 10-12 flavors and they keep each of them covered so that they don’t oxidate. All what they use are real ingrediants which they get from various markets in Delhi like INA. For vanilla they get their ingrediants from Kerela. They prepare everything fresh in the morning, everyday and for that they have imported machines from Italy.

Your Hygiene is their concern
The employees wear gloves while serving

Michael told me that in Italy every ice cream parlor is a brand in itself. If you have an ice cream parlor and a name for it, it’s a brand in itself. The best thing about Gelato Roma is that you can actually try every flavor before buying it. And you would be welcomed very warmly by the staff who is way too polite and Michael himself.

Its been one and a half months since they are here and Hauz Khas village is their first and only place. But they do have future plans of opening up different branches at various places. Already they get so many invitations from weddings and various festivals.

Michael was very keen on making us try the lemon flavor. We understood this enthusiasm when the taste of fresh lime melted into our mouths making us feel as if we are having fresh lemonade. It was a delight to our taste buds!! For the whiskey cream flavor, he told me that they don’t put whiskey into it actually, they just have raisins in it which are little dipped in whiskey. The amount is negligible,since it would be heavy on pockets.

Michael is from an IT background and when asked that why this completely different field, he said When you make things by your own hand and give it to people and when they feel happy, the happiness actually reflects on their faces and you feel so good about it. Well Michael, I did feel happy for the Swiss chocolate and lemon the most! 

Michael with his amazing creation: Gelato Roma

The thing which stole my heart: Swiss chocolate