Meet the man behind some of the world's best gelato: James Coleridge

Under the expert tutelage of Italian Champions and Maestros, James Coleridge apprenticed and honed his skills in the art of gelato in Italy and brought them to Vancouver.

James received formal training at the Italian Culinary Institute and advanced masters training at Carpigiani’s Gelato University. He is also the culinary genius behind Bella Gelateria, which now has a Yaletown location in addition to its Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel store.

His passion and commitment to hand crafting the best gelato soon caught the attention of Time Magazine Online. Subsequently, James was selected by a major Italian newspaper for a feature article – a North American gelatière in Italy.

• SEE ALSO: Bella Gelateria Yaletown

In 2011, James was recognized by Carpigiani, the world’s largest gelato company, as a ‘Gelato Pioneer.” He was the first non-Italian to win this award and was designated as ‘The Father’. His spirit and artisan style of making gelato is seen in Italy as protecting the true art of gelato.

In January 2012, James represented Canada at the World Cup of Gelato in Rimini, Italy as the Team’s Gelato Master. Team Canada finished 1st in North America and some of James’s flavours were ranked in the top 10 in the world.

In April 2012, James was invited to the world’s largest gelato festival in Florence, Italy. He competed with 29 other Grand Masters of Italy and after 4 days of competition was awarded 1st place as the Champion at the Florence Italy Gelato Festival. The public attending the Festival also had a chance to taste the artisan gelatos from the competitors and over 200,000, mostly Italians, voted for the People’s Choice Award.

Two years later, James and his protégé Salvatore Boccarossa was voted best in North America, winning the Gelato World Tour North America competition in Austin, Texas with their “Salted Pecan with Montmorency Tart Cherries & Tahitian Vanilla” gelato flavour.

James gives credit to his teachers in Italy and the many Maestros he has become friends with as the base of his success. “I took the time to learn from the best, go to Gelato University, and I give my teachers credit. I am proud to be a custodian of the art and passion of gelato which is being lost in an industrial world. We need more passion in the world today and I hope my gelato brings more smiles to people.”

2014 Gelato World Tour North America – First Place+
2014 International Fair of Artisan Gelato (MIG) – International Gelato Master of the Year
2012 Florence Italy Gelato Festival – Winner People’s Choice Award
2012 Florence Italy Gelato Festival – Winner Technical Jury
2012 Gelato World Cup, Team Canada member – Gelato Master
2011 Gelato Pioneer Award “The Father” – Carpigiani Group, Italy