FOOD STORIES:
Hila GELATO
What's the origin story for your food business?
After working in the food industry for 20 years, and in the gelato industry for 10, we opened Hila Gelato in San Francisco in June 2023. In March 2024, we reinvested in amazing gelato machines that make gelato on the spot and we are exited to showcase them at this event. We bring with us our passion for Sicilian gelato, Italian coffee, and pastries.
Why is it important for you to bring food to the world?
Ilary loves street food and old traditions, such as eating ricotta in a "cavagna," a bamboo container where ricotta was stored to drain and then eaten. She loves a simple cooking that enhances individual ingredients, as true Italian culinary tradition demands. When in Italy, Ilary produces her own olive oil and harvests olives from her farm with her dear friends.
Why is it important for you to bring food to the world?
Ilary's love for food and her commitment to sustainability led her to work in the food industry, open various food businesses, and eventually discover the world of gelato, making it her main work in Palermo, Sicily, where she has 10 years of experience. When she and her wife Ceci moved to San Francisco, they were inspired by the vibrant cultural scene and the abundance of organic farms and wineries.
Fun Facts
Ilary appreciates traditional old world ways of upholding culture in cuisine, like using orange peel to make candied fruit, traditionally placed on cannoli.