Thinking of starting an ice cream business? Or looking to introduce high quality gelato to your current food establishment? Then look no further than training at the Antonelli Gelato Academy! Our ‘So You Want To Make Gelato’ course is the perfect place to begin.
So, what is ‘So You Want to Make Gelato’?
Beginner friendly and foundation-level, So You Want to Make Gelato is designed to simplify the process of gelato making. Courses are in person and led by Technical Manager, Antonio De Roma or National Sales & Technical Manager, Jonny Ireland. Blending a mix of theory and hands-on practicality, you are equipped with the knowledge and skills to become experts in making delicious gelato.
The course is priced at £70 + VAT per person and based in house at Antonelli’s HQ in Irlam, Manchester. It is a 1-day intensive course running from 10am until 4pm. You will spend the day with our technical team covering a range of topics whilst learning in an intimate group environment. The objective of the day is to give you all the information that you will need to make an informed decision on whether you should start an ice cream business.
> Your morning will kick off with an introduction to gelato making and all the theory, including the main qualities of Artisan Ice Cream/Gelato, the process of production, etc.
> Refreshments are included, and there are fresh sandwiches provided for lunch at around 12pm.
> In the afternoon, we will do gelato making demonstrations, and you will get to see making, extracting and cutting the gelato. We usually make two flavours.
> You will receive a certificate upon completion of your course, and leave feeling confident in the skills you’ve learnt, with ongoing support.
What will I learn?
The course contents are as follows:
> The ever-changing ice cream industry: trends and fashions
> Main qualities of artisan ice cream vs. gelato
> The process of production - What machine does what?
> Gelato ingredients - The best commercial options
> Sorbets & chocolate
> Where and how to set up (location and kitchen requirements)
> Machinery needs
> How much does it cost?
> Recipes to start a business with (looking at starting with the basics)
> Gelato demonstration
Who’s it for?
This course is suitable for:
> Entrepreneurs exploring a food business
> Aspiring gelato shop owners
> Hospitality owners wanting to expand their offering or upskill.
How long has Antonelli been offering training courses?
Antonelli has been supplying ice cream training to groups and individuals for over 15 years. We first started providing training to our business contacts and in 2015, opened a pizzeria with gelato counter, called Rolandos, in Lymm, Warrington. The pizzeria was shut on Mondays and Tuesdays to carry out training course however they shortly became so popular and so in 2017 the decision was made to close Rolando’s and the Antonelli Gelato Academy was born. We have been running the Antonelli Gelato Academy from our site in Irlam ever since, The Academy has remained at our Irlam site ever since, seeing significant improvements year on year.
Why should I choose this course?
Expert trainers with real industry experience - While Antonio joined Antonelli late last year, he has a lifetime of experience within the industry.
The best ice cream training academy across the UK and Ireland - Combining practical learning with theory
Intimate class sizes - Plenty of time for 1-1 conversations and have all your questions answered
Ongoing support – if you do set up and decide to buy your cones and ingredients through us, you’ll receive first-class support from our customer service, technical production and sales teams who are ready to help with each and every step. Find out more!
Affordable – All of this and for just £70 + VAT – It’s the best value that you’ll find it!
Testimonials
But don’t just take our word for it – check out some of our recent reviews!
“I had the absolute pleasure of attending Antonio's gelato training, and it exceeded all expectations. His passion for authentic Italian gelato is contagious, and his deep knowledge of ingredients, techniques, and flavour balance made every session insightful and hands-on.”
- Lux
Food: 5/5 | Service: 5/5 | Atmosphere: 5/5
“Attended the course and in the few hours I was there I had all my questioned answered.
The group was a full cross section of experiences, and everybody had their questioned answered.
If you are interested in gelato, this is a must and will save you a lot of time and research.
Well done to the team at Antonelli and especially Jonny.
- Paul
Food: 5/5 | Service: 5/5 | Atmosphere: 5/5
“My family and I attended a 1-2-1 session for the course “So you want to make gelato”. We hadn’t made any ice cream before we went on the course, but Antonio De Roma, who was running the course, explained everything really well and answered all our questions. We also got to make some delicious gelato, and Antonio showed us how all the machinery works. We were also provided with a lovely lunch, and we were made very welcome by all the staff there. Overall, it was a great day, and we would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to learn how to make gelato!”
- Melissa
Food: 5/5 | Service: 5/5 | Atmosphere: 5/5
So, how do I book?
Our next ‘So You Want to Make Gelato’ dates are listed below. But be quick, they can book up fast!
> Mon 7 Jul 2025
> Mon 4 Aug 2025
> Mon 7 Sept 2025
Simply visit our dedicated Ice Cream Training website to book your course.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s):
- Do I need any experience?
No! Just bring yourself, enthusiasm, and your thoughts around starting an ice cream business.
- Do I need to have all the equipment already?
If you do, great. But if not, don’t worry! We will be talking through all your machinery options on the day to help you choose the best products for you and your business. We’ll even provide you with contact details for machinery specialists who can provide you with additional support should you need it.
- Do we get to take any gelato home?
Absolutely! As well as plenty of tasting throughout the day, you are also given the option to take some tasty gelato home with you - just maybe bring a cool bag!
