Il Goloso, recently launched in Marsascala, is bringing a genuine Italian gelateria to the south of Malta. The outlet, which will retail delicious ice-cream, frozen yoghurt and other sweet Italian delicacies, is focused on serving only the very best produce and using top raw ingredients throughout their ice-cream making process.

Sandro Meccariello and Danilo Rigamonti, the Italian directors behind the project, have plenty of experience in the ice-cream business having opened numerous shops in Italy and across Europe. Another of their companies, also in Italy, is responsible for sourcing the best ingredients and ensuring that each of the shops utilises their special ice-cream recipe, which guarantees that standards remain high.

“I have been coming to Malta since 1992,” explains Mr Meccariello, “and have lived here for the past couple of years. Throughout that time I noticed that, while ice-cream consumption is high here, I felt that we could improve on the quality of ice-cream being served by introducing a truly homemade, Italian version.

“So, together with Mr Rigamonti, I decided to launch this parlour. It differs from other local ice-cream shops because the whole production process takes place in-house, using only the very best ingredients and technology to ensure the final result is top-notch. We will be following the same recipe used in our European shops; our fresh milk and fruit will be sourced locally, while the rest of our ingredients will come from renowned suppliers in Italy.”

Aside from a range of 24 freshly produced ice-cream flavours, two of which will change monthly to utilise the best seasonal ingredients, Il Goloso will offer its patron’s another genuine taste of Italy: frozen yoghurt.

“We realised that, while frozen yoghurt is immensely popular in Italy, it doesn’t seem to have much of a following here,” continues Mr Meccariello. “So we will be introducing our special, creamy frozen natural yoghurt to Malta too, and this can be served with a variety of scrumptious toppings including fruit and cereals. Additionally, we will be serving ideal accompaniments, including waffles, pancakes and popular Italian foccacine, as well as fresh-fruit granitas which are also produced wholly in-house.”

As ice-cream specialists, Il Goloso’s directors have insisted on also bringing their speciality team to Malta to help train local staff. A dedicated ice-cream server will be advising local attendants on the correct way to serve the product in a cone or cup, and Roberto Vezzosi, a highly trained ice-cream maker, will oversee the production process from start to finish.

The company also focused on the design of the parlour itself, which was entrusted to local design firm NZT Projects. The colour palette seems to reflect the many ice-cream flavours, while simultaneously allowing the shop’s patrons to glance in on the production process of each of the products. Additionally, hygiene has been a major concern and the company has invested heavily in the right equipment to ensure the highest standards are met at all times.

“Locals have already responded brilliantly to having a traditional Italian gelateria in Malta, especially one which produces delicious, homemade products. We hope to open other specialised parlours in the future,” he added.