In 2009, Luigi & Gavina De Luca packed up their little Sicilian gelato cart in-front of their store and closed the doors to their family run shop De Luca Gelateria on Norton St, Leichhardt. As many fans and locals would remember, the De Luca’s were responsible for some of the most outrageous gelato flavours and creations which were ahead of their time, making it a culinary destination for Sydneysiders looking for a different and wholesome take on traditional Gelato. From Rose Petal Gelato to Vegemite Gelato, Doggy gelato, Gelato burgers & Sicilian Granita, the De Luca’s paid homage to their family run business created in 1937 by Salvatore De Luca in Messina, Sicily.

Luigi, together with wife Gavina, opened their own gelateria, La Cremeria in Olbia, Sardinia in 1985 and by 1991 Luigi came to Sydney, consulting for mass production gelato houses which were suffering from little business due to lack of awareness for the gelato productt. In the meantime, Luigi taught his artisan skills as the first accredited gelato teacher for TAFENSW to students, who for some have become well known in the industry for years.

The rest of the family followed, and by 1995 La Cremeria, the first free-standing gelateria known to Sydney opened on Norton St, Leichhardt. Along with being actively involved in Leichhardt Council community programs, the De Luca’s have a passion for food sustainability and joined forces with the Slow Food movement as well as being involved and supporting Fair Trade produce across their gelato creations.

In 1997, Luigi successfully confronted the Australian Dairy Association asking to catagorise and introduce Gelato as a separate product from Ice Cream (yes, there is a difference!) and furthermore recognised by the Royal Agricultural Society. In 1999, La Cremeria became De Luca Gelateria at their large premises across from Palace Cinema on Norton Street and expanding to a second location at the Bondi Beach Pavilion in 2000.