At 23 years of age, Celina Nolasco was able to create her own food business.
It was in 2011 when she thought of putting up an ice cream business since the Philippines is a tropical country and this cool treat would be appreciated all-year round. She ended up with a gelato stand, but because of difficulties with logistics, her father suggested that she make her business mobile and go for a food truck.
It became easier for her then to travel from Quezon City to the Midnight Mercato weekend market where she launched her food truck, Mio Gelati, in April 2011.
She named it such because “mio gelati” translates to “my gelato”, a business in which Celina practically did everything—from experimenting with flavors, mixing them, and tasting all of it. Her experience in the culinary industry helped her with this business.
Flavors of Cucina Andare: Food Truck Series
- TRUCK BUN: Sandwiches with an international flair
- THE CHEESE STEAK SHOP: Authentic Philly Cheese Steak on Wheels!
- KUYANG: Pinoy-style Food Truck (First Franchisable Food Truck in Manila)
- MIO GELATI: Pioneering Gelato Dessert Truck in Manila @MioGelati
- JASPER‘S House of Chicken Food Truck @JaspersHOC
A graduate of Culinary Arts from the College of St. Benilde, Celina worked in one of the five-star hotels in the metro for about a year before deciding to build her own business. She is now full-time with Mio Gelati and is continually crafting new concoctions for gelato fans.
Her food truck has 18 flavors on display every weekend but she has around 50 flavors in her repertoire, which she rotates from time to time. There are mainstays though such as Ferrero, pistachio, blueberry cheesecake, mango cream pie, and cookie butter, which is one of her latest creations. My favorite among these bestsellers is Ferrero, simply because I’m a chocoholic. I love its milky chocolate-y taste and the crunchy texture from the actual chocolate. The pistachio comes a close second with its rich, nutty flavor and crunchy pistachio bits.
Celina gets inspiration from current trends and classic flavors. She believes Mio Gelati stands out because of the quality and taste. “[It is] homemade. We make it in small batches. We don’t stock a lot so the flavor stays fresh.”
One scoop of the regular flavor only costs P80 and two scoops will give you more value for your money at P150. The premium flavor is priced at P100 per scoop and P180 for two scoops.
Adults may indulge in more exciting flavors such as Bailey’s, Tequila Rose, and beer. But for those who are craving for something not on the menu, Mio Gelati accepts requests for customized gelato. It is even open to catering to private parties.
Maybe I’ll request for cronut-flavored gelato next time.
MIO GELATI
Telephone numbers: (+63 2) 964-3023 and (+63 2) 353-6675
Mobile number: (+63 917) 582-7124
Email: miogelati@yahoo.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/miogelati
Twitter: @miogelati
Available at Cucina Andare:
CUCINA ANDARE
Address: Glorietta 3 Park, Makati (in front of Makati Shangri-La)
Telephone number: (02) 812-0102
Mobile number: (+63 917) 840-1152
Email: admin@cucinaandare.com
Operating hours: Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 4pm-3am
Flavors of Mercato Series 1:
- CARLO’S KITCHEN: It’s Crunchy Belly Time!
- CUISINIERS: Have you tried the Best BBQ Pork Skewers in Manila?
- MERRY MOO: One of the Best Artisan Ice Creams in Manila!
- WRAP BATTLE: The Pita Wrap of the Filipinos
- JOHNNY STEAMS: Yankee Burger – Peanut Butter, Crispy Bacon, Oozing Mozzarella
- OLVERA’S: Authentic Home Cooked Mexican Cuisine
- AUNTIE MAY’s: U.S Beef Tapa, Angus Beef Salpicao and Home Cooked Meals-on-the-GO
- RICE POTS: The Real Fried Rice Stuff!
- MACHEESEMO: Cheese Stuffed Burgers!
- BUMBLE TEA: The Milk Tea Buzz
- NEW YORK MINUTE: Freshly Made Paninis
- HEY_FISHY_FISHY: Fish & Chips with San Miguel Pale Pilsen Beer Batter
Flavors of Mercato Series 2:
- CHEF BAB’S SISIG: “A lot of restaurants and bars serve sisig but only Chef Bab of @MercatoCentrale can offer eight variants at one time!”
- JUANA BOWL: U.S. Rib-Eye Steak and Norwegian Pink Salmon @MercatoCentrale
- TACLINGS: Bite-Sized Tacos Hit @MercatoCentrale
- B. WINGS: The Home of the Black Mamba @Mercato Centrale
- LU CHI: From Siomai to Shabu-Shabu @MercatoCentrale Midnight Snack
- GIGA-BITE: One-Stop Shop for Barbecue and Kebab @IsaKebab @MercatoCentrale
Flavors of Cucina Andare: Food Truck Series
- TRUCK BUN: Sandwiches with an international flair
- THE CHEESE STEAK SHOP: Authentic Philly Cheese Steak on Wheels!
- KUYANG: Pinoy-style Food Truck (First Franchisable Food Truck in Manila)
- MIO GELATI: Pioneering Gelato Dessert Truck in Manila @MioGelati
- JASPER‘S House of Chicken Food Truck @JaspersHOC
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
P.S. Would you like to become the next big food entrepreneur at Mercato Centrale group of markets? Please get in touch with us at (+63 917) 840-1152 or (+632) 812-0102.
You can also email me personally at anton@diaz.ph or text me +63 917 568-3627
