Patok na patok ngayon sa mga Pilipino at lokal na residente sa Wellington, New Zealand ang masarap at world-class na sorbetes na 100 percent gawang Pinoy!
Ito ang Zelati Gelato and Sorbet na nagsimula bilang isang family business. Ikinuwento ni Hillary Tuason, may-ari ng Zelati kung paano ang kanilang naging humble beginnings.
“Well, we’re a family of foodies, me and my dad studied chocolate making and patisserie when I was 16… after that I studied food technology and worked in the food industry… before joining the family business,” sabi ni Tuason.
Nung umpisa ay matiyagang inilalako ni Tuason ang kanyang gelato at sorbetes sa pamamagitan ng food truck sa iba-ibang local events. At dahil sa masarap at mataas na kalidad ng kanilang malamig na panghimagas, unti-unting nakilala at lumago ang kanilang negosyo. At kabilang sa mga tumatangkilik sa kanilang produkto ay ang mga bigating chef at restaurants sa Wellington.
Naging masigasig din si Tuason sa pagpapakilala ng unique Pinoy flavors sa kanilang mga sorbetes.
“In the gelato industry, a lot of the other gelato makers would use paste.. we make everything from scratch…collaborate with chefs for new flavours…as well as taking inspiration from Filipino cuisine.. purple kumara is our twist on Filipino ube.. and a lot of the stuff we’re now making are also vegan…,” ani Tuason.
Nagbukas noong October 2019 ang unang Zelati shop sa Cuba Street na sikat na cultural at hospitality hubspot sa Wellington. Magmula noon ay dinudumog na ng mga parokyano mula sa iba-ibang bahagi ng lungsod ang kanilang masarap na sorbetes at gelato.
“All of it has been a great learning experience… opening the store last October.. months and months of planning.. get to talk to and interact and engage with our customers and everyone has received it well so far,” pagbabahagi ni Tuason.
May payo rin si Tuason sa mga kabataang Pinoy sa New Zealand na huwag matakot makipagsapalaran para makamit ang kanilang mga pangarap:
“I would just say to just start, even if you’re afraid.. especially as a Filipino growing up here in NZ, there is so much opportunity for young Filipinos to really show their craft or show their skills.. whether it’s making gelato or jewellery or clothes.”
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