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Locals Aren’t the Only Ones Discovering La Divina Gelateria

New Orleans, LA

According to celebrity chef and well known Food Network personality Alton Brown, La Divina Gelateria’s Strawberry Balsamic Sorbet is among the best sorbets he’s ever had.

Recently, Brown and his crew filmed La Divina Gelateria and interviewed owners Katrina and Carmelo Turillo for an episode of “Feasting on Asphalt” to be aired on the Food Network on Saturday, August 4, 2007.

The show features Alton Brown traveling around the country on his motorcycle in search of authentic, good food and Mom-n-Pop restaurants. While at first glance, the chic appearance of La Divina Gelateria doesn’t suggest a “mom-n-pop,” the artisan gelateria on Magazine Street is the first shop opened by locals Katrina and Carmelo Turillo.

Carmelo, who learned to make gelato in Europe, explains the difference between his gelato and others. “In America, most gelati are made in one of two ways: by using an imported milk base and adding imported flavorings or by having a dairy make a base mix, then adding a flavoring syrup or extract. At La Divina, all of our recipes are original and we build each flavor from the ground up. That means fresh milk, eggs, sugar and the flavoring ingredient-lots of the flavoring ingredient. For example, our strawberry is made with over 50% Ponchatoula strawberries.”

At La Divina, making each gelato from scratch means hulling strawberries, juicing lemons, roasting almonds and carmelizing sugar. It’s a labor of love and you can taste the difference!

In addition to the Strawberry Balsamic sorbet, other flavors enjoyed by Alton Brown and his road crew included Dulce de Leche, Pear Walnut Gogonzola, Earl Grey Tea with Biscuits, Carrot Ginger Mascarpone, Grapefruit Campari Sorbetto and traditional Italian flavors like Sicillian Pistachio, Straciatella and Bacio.

Flavors at the gelateria are inspired by what is fresh and seasonal and are made daily. For further information, please contact Katrina Turillo, 504.258.4090.

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