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The eyes of Sergio Dondoli still sparkle when he re-
members that meeting that was so unique, so spon-
taneous, so regal!
What does it feel like to be called the most famous
gelato artisan in the world?
I am amazed by the enormous popularity that I have
enjoyed in recent years, a bit all over the world. I also
feel a lot of responsibility towards the “profession” that
I represent on every occasion. I always try to give my
best, in the name of a fantastic trade. I’ve been doing
this work for 30 years. For me the work has never
been a cross to bear, but rather a passion! A few days
ago a couple from Finland asked to take a selfie with
me, because they say that I am very famous in their
country. In Finland? Unbelievable...
All this success comes fromwhat, how did it happen?
I think people perceive that in my gelato there is a part
of myself, it’s almost physical, a relationship of infinite
love. My gelato is so personal that customers find me in
the product! Like Santa Fina Cream (PDO Saffron from
San Gimignano, pralined pine nuts from Pisa, vanilla
bean) - pure poetry! Or Rosemary Baby sorbet (rasp-
berry and rosemary), or perhaps Black Venus (black-
berry sorbet with lavender), a wonderful marriage.
What was your big break on an international level?
For sure when I met Tony Blair, at the time the British
Prime Minister. A true friendship. When he was in Italy
and I had the pleasure of eating with him and his fam-
ily, the Italian and foreign media went crazy. They de-
scribed me as “Sergio Dondoli, Tony Blair’s personal
gelatiere.” Then my popularity grew gradually through
an increasing number of contacts with people from
the world of entertainment and sports.
We understand that today Gelateria Dondoli is the
supplier of several high-ranking families and even
European royalty?
True. We supply many nobles and various royal fami-
lies. But don’t ask me which ones. But I can tell you
an anecdote from a few years ago. When the Queen
came into the gelato shop and asked me, “How are
you, Sergio?” my first instinct was to run over to her
and give her a hug! Then I stopped at the door of the
shop and realized that she had 25 people behind her,
including relatives and an entourage. Well, she asked
me for a cone of gelato for each of them, choosing
herself the flavours for each person.
So I asked her how she managed to know and decide
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