Ciao Bella, a New York-based maker of premium, artisan gelato and sorbetto, partnered with Atlanta-based luxury ice cream company, High Road Ice Cream, to increase the brand’s presence within the high-end foodservice and hospitality space.

“Originally opened as a gelato shop in New York’s Little Italy, Ciao Bella was the leader in the foodservice space, supplying its gelato and sorbetto to restaurants, which quickly became our core business,” says Carlos Canals, chief executive officer of Ciao Bella. “After years of focusing on the retail portion of the business and accomplishing great success, it is time to bring the company back to its roots and complement our in-store distribution efforts with distribution in the foodservice space.”

The only brand to work with High Road outside of their existing product portfolio, Ciao Bella’s high-quality ingredients and unique flavor combinations will sit front and center with culinary experts nationwide, complimenting their already sophisticated and unique dessert menu offerings.

“I’ve long been a fan of Ciao Bella, as a chef and as someone in the specialty ice cream industry,” says Keith Schroeder, founder and CEO of High Road. “It’s a real honor to be able to revive and expand the foodservice side of Ciao Bella with the high-quality ingredients and customer service that made them a brand that inspired me.”     

Ciao Bella’s gelato and sorbetto will be offered to restaurants and hotels nationwide beginning in April. High Road will produce the brand’s products at its 25,000-square-foot facility.

“Partnering with High Road gives us the opportunity to work with someone who is equally as passionate about ingredients and the quality of the product as we are, and will raise our awareness in restaurants and hotels where we know our consumers are looking for us,” says Canals.