Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Mortarotti. We’re huge fans of her out of this world ice cream and have featured her shop in some of our dessert and ice cream guides in the past.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story?
When we had the idea for Carmela Ice Cream in 2007, artisan ice cream wasn’t a very big thing in LA area yet – the food scene was still developing. We had an idea for a well-made, wholesome, classic style ice cream that would be more than just a fad. We started out by renting a shared kitchen space to make the ice cream at night – Zach, the other owner, would sell the ice cream at local Farmer’s Markets. Our flavor inspirations came from the produce in season at the markets. Part of what makes our product so wonderful is that we never use ingredients that are out of season. After several years of selling at the Farmer’s Market, we opened the first brick and mortar location in Pasadena. Fast forward another four years, we now have three locations around Los Angeles, a flourishing catering business, and we still attend four Farmer’s Markets in the area. Everything we sell is manufactured at our Pasadena Creamery in the exact same way as when we first started.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Starting Carmela was definitely not a smooth road. With no knowledge of the ice cream business and how to manufacture ice cream, we had huge learning curves along the way. I would say there were more roadblocks than smooth paths, but that is pretty standard when starting a business. The only thing that kept us going was an understanding that if we kept putting one foot in front of the other we would get there eventually.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Carmela Ice Cream story. Tell us more about the business.
Carmela is an artisan ice cream. All of our product is handmade from scratch in small batches using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Our flavors are garden inspired and based on seasonally available ingredients. Essentially our ice cream is made how anyone would make it at home – without fillers and with the best ingredients possible. The values that we put into making our ice cream have definitely connected with the community and is also part of the success story behind Carmela.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I would say I am more in the camp that you make your own luck in life and in business. We are constantly evolving and adjusting our business to make it the best it can be and sometimes that comes off as luck, but really it is just a commitment to a vision and sticking with is.
Pricing:
- Single Scoop $4.75
- Ice Cream Sandwich $5.75
- Pint $10.50
- Quart $17.50
Contact Info:
- Address: 2495 E. Washington Blvd, Pasadena CA 91104
7920 W. Third St., Los Angeles CA 90048
5301 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills CA 91364 - Website: www.carmelaicecream.com
- Phone: 626-797-1405
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @carmelaicecream
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carmelaicecream/
- Twitter: @CarmelaIceCream
