Carmen Ricciardi; Chef and owner of Carmen's Gelato, studied regional Italian Cusine, baking, pastry, and Artisan Gelato at the 

Italian Culinary Institute (ICI) in Calabria, Italy.

As an accomplished chef, Carmen has cooked at and managed restaurants across Alaska. Returning multiple times to Italy to further his education, and teach others at the ICI.

Before opening Carmen's Gelato; Carmen worked alongside, and studied with Gelato Grand Master & multi-year Gelato World Champion; Maestro James Coleridge of Vancouver B.C.

Carmen Ricciardi was the first to bring Artiasan Gelato hand made from scratch to Alaska in 2013, and started the movement of Artisan Ice cream in Alaska. After planning and training for years with the best in the industry, Carmen started with a small cart on 5th Avenue, & Spenard Anchorage. Carmen spent his first  three years traveling to Anchorage in the mornings to sell Gelato by day, and spent nights in his laboratory in Girdwood to produce Gelato for the next day. In the winter of 2016 Carmen and his father Antonio built the brick and mortar shop on the Homer Spit, in Homer Alaska. 

Carmen and his brother Giuseppe, are the Chefs behind Carmen's Gelato. With over 35 years of combined culinary experience, they merge traditional Italian techniques and flavors, with modern, local ingredients, for one of a kind experience.

 

Carmen's award winning gelato is made from scratch with fresh organic fruit, organic milk, and organic sugar. All our Gelato is handcrafted daily, without the use of pre-made mixes, bases, pastes, syrups, or artificial coloring/flavoring. Homer is home to the only Gelateria in Alaska, and one of the few in the country to make Gelato from scratch, using organic and local ingredients.

Passion, culture, quality, and great customer service shines through in every cup, for Alaskans and world travelers alike. Our goal is to ensure that everyone leaves Carmen's Gelato with a smile.

 

• Winner of the 2014 North America Gelato World Tour Tasting Contest

• Finalist 2014 - Gelato World Tour North America

• Voted Top 6 in North America - 2014 Gelato World Tour

• Voted Best Artisan Gelato Parlor - 2022 Restaurant & Bar awards