Four generations brings new treats to Valley

WASILLA — Gelato Kudrino, Artisan Italian Ice Cream, owned and operated by Dmitry Kudryn and his wife Luba, is the only gelato confectionery in Valley.

In his first restaurant venture, Dmitry tries to be as authentic as possible by making, “The family atmosphere of Italy, 7,000 miles away.”

By importing all his products, cups, spoons, containers, flavors, ingredients (minus fresh produce and milk), and equipment directly from Italy, Dimtry has stressed the importance of creating Italian gelato in Alaska.

One might wonder what a pilot by trade is doing running the state’s first gelato eatery and what he knows about the cold treat?

Well, Dmitry, who lived in Italy as child, has put a recipe almost 100 years old and four generations of gelato making experience from his family into each batch.

Gelato, originally an Italian treat, can be made similarly to ice cream with dairy products or with a water and fruit base.

“By making it fresh every morning before the store opens,” Dmitry says, “we strive to make the best gelato every time, which is why the customers love it.”

Dmitry hopes that part of the draw to gelato is the healthier aspects of the treat.

It contains 50 percent of the calories, 60 percent of the fat, and 75 percent of the cholesterol of regular ice cream. Gelato also has less butterfat than typical ice cream, with ice cream having 20 percent to 25 percent butterfat and gelato only containing about 5 percent to 9 percent butterfat.

This produces less air in gelato than ice cream, which creates a denser product. In addition, gelato is served 10 degrees warmer than ice cream, which Dimtry says enhances the flavor because it is less solidly frozen.

The shop’s district manager, Pascha Angel, said, “Gelato is great because it provides people who don’t necessarily like ice cream with an alternative.”

With healthy ingredients and 35 flavors to choose from, Dmitry says, “There is a favorite flavor for everyone, but chocolate and mixed berry are two of our most popular.”

The store, located at 609 S. Knik-Goose Bay Road, has been operating for three months. It opens daily at 11 a.m. and closes around 9 p.m., and has seven employees.

Contact Lanier Hutcheson at lanier.hutcheson@frontiersman.com or 352-2265.