Find Your Gelato Maker Course: Schools, Programs and Specializations

Artisanal gelato is a coveted craft in Italy and beyond, and formal training is key to mastering it. Aspiring gelato artisans can choose from a variety of basic, advanced, specialization, management and masterclass courses. Professional development in gelato-making covers everything from raw materials and balancing techniques to shop management and marketing. The international gelato sector continually expands, making up‑to‑date skills a prerequisite for success. Below we describe leading Italian gelato schools, with up‑to‑date course offerings, contact information, and links to schedules.

The Importance of Training for an Artisan Gelato Maker

Opening an artisan gelato shop requires passion, expertise, and constant professional development. Training is not just a mandatory step, but a real investment for the success of the business. An experienced gelato maker must master both traditional techniques and the latest industry trends, ensuring a high-quality product in an increasingly demanding and competitive market.

Why is it essential to follow a training path?

The artisan gelato market is constantly evolving: consumer demands change, new technologies and raw materials are developed, and the need to differentiate oneself to offer a unique and innovative product grows. Proper training allows you to:

  • Acquire fundamental technical skills in gelato preparation.

  • Understand raw materials, their quality, and their impact on the gelato’s texture.

  • Learn proper ingredient balancing techniques.

  • Dive into hygiene and food safety regulations.

  • Study marketing and economic management for a successful business.

Types of Available Courses

Gelato training schools offer a wide range of courses suitable for both beginners and experts looking to improve their skills. Among the main courses, we find:

  1. Basic courses: Ideal for those new to the gelato world, these provide foundational knowledge about production, ingredient balancing, and machine use.

  2. Advanced courses: Aimed at professionals who want to deepen specific techniques, experiment with new flavors, and improve production efficiency.

  3. Specialization courses: Focused on specific topics like lactose-free, vegan, organic, or gourmet gelato.

  4. Management and marketing courses: To learn how to manage the business effectively, optimize costs, build customer loyalty, and promote your brand.

  5. Masterclasses with experts: Advanced training sessions with internationally renowned gelato masters, helpful for learning innovative techniques and emerging market trends.

Continuous Updating: A Requirement for Excellence

Being a good gelato maker means never stopping learning. The quality of the product and the success of a gelato shop also depend on the artisan’s ability to continuously update their knowledge, experimenting with new techniques and expanding their skillset. Regularly attending refresher courses allows you to stay up to date with industry innovations, improve your offerings, and meet the demands of a customer base that is increasingly focused on quality and sustainability.

Training Schools

Accademia Bigatton (Portogruaro, Veneto)

www.accademiabigatton.com

Accademia Bigatton is a dynamic team of Italian gelato and pastry experts based in Portogruaro (Venice). Founded by the Bigatton family, the academy provides extensive support for new gelato entrepreneurs. Training ranges from basic level courses (gelato, semifreddi, fruit carving) for beginners to advanced and specialized courses (chocolates, gelato innovation, gelato sticks, etc.) for pros. All courses are hands‑on and taught by seasoned masters. Accreditation and public information can be found on their site, and courses are often free-of-charge for participants.

  • Contact: Email bigatton@bigatton.com, Tel. +39 0421 271554
  • Course Types: Gelato Fundamentals, Pastry & Semifreddi, Granita & Cold Desserts, innovative and personalized gelato modules
  • Upcoming Courses: See the course calendar on the official site for dates.
  • Call to Action: Request Course Info or visit the school’s website above.
Arte Dolce - Fugar (Rimini, Emilia-Romagna)

www.artedolce.it

Established in 1991 in Rimini, Arte Dolce is a leading professional training center for pastry, gelato, chocolate and bakery arts. It prides itself on 30+ years of high-level courses delivered by internationally renowned instructors. Each year Arte Dolce offers a rich program of classes – from beginner courses to advanced masterclasses – covering pastry, gelato, bread, sugar art, café management and more. The 2024/25 season features new courses and expert faculty, ensuring an immersive learning experience guided by experienced masters.

  • Contact: Email artedolce@artedolce.it, Tel. +39 0541 370616 (Rimini)
  • Course Types: Gelato Production (basic to advanced), Pastry & Semifreddi, Bakery, Caffetteria, Chocolate, Cake Decorating – both demo and hands‑on formats
  • Course Calendar: Browse the 2024/25 course schedule by category or month.
  • Call to Action: Request Course Info or Visit School Website to explore programs.
Casa Optima World School of Sweet Arts (Rimini – sedi internazionali)

www.casaoptima.com (main page) – for courses visit the Casa Optima Training site

Casa Optima is a high-performance training and research center specializing in gelato, pastry and beverage arts. It operates in 12 locations worldwide (from Rimini to Dubai, Miami to Shanghai) as part of a major Italian sweet-art ingredients group. Casa Optima trains over 700 professionals annually with a premium curriculum. Its offerings include intensive gelato courses (in Italian and English), pastry and chocolate seminars, and specialized beverage training. The school emphasizes innovation and sustainable practices in gelato making.

  • Contact: Tel. +39 0541 859411, Email info@casaoptima.com
  • Course Types: Gelato & Pastry (basic to advanced), Soft-Serve & Yogurt, Chocolate & Confectionery, plus hospitality management and sustainable practices. Many courses are modular and held in Italy or abroad.
  • Booking/Calendar: New courses are announced on the Casa Optima portal; contact the school for schedules.
  • Call to Action: Request Course Info or Visit School Website.
Cast Alimenti (Brescia, Lombardia)

www.castalimenti.it

CAST Alimenti (Centro Arte, Scienza e Tecnologia dell’Alimento) is a premier culinary education center founded in Brescia in the mid-1990s. Accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education and Lombardy Region, it offers “specific courses in all culinary arts”. The school serves both young trainees and experienced professionals. Its gelato program includes high-level vocational courses in gelato production, as well as broader specialties such as bakery, pasta and pastry. CAST Alimenti is known for its modern laboratories and international competition teams.

  • Contact: Email info@castalimenti.it, Tel. +39 030 2350076
  • Course Types: Professional Diploma Courses (long-term), Certificate Courses, Short Masterclasses in Gelato, Pastry, Chocolate, Baking, etc.; offerings range from beginner fundamentals to advanced techniques.
  • Calendar: Typically publishes an annual course list; contact CAST Alimenti or check their site for the next session.
  • Call to Action: Request Course Info or Visit School Website.
Comprital Athenaeum (Settala, Milano)

www.comprital.com (see Training section)

Comprital Athenaeum is the training branch of Comprital SpA (a leading gelato ingredients manufacturer near Milan). Comprital Athenaeum offers specialized gelato and pastry training aimed at professional development. Courses focus on the latest products and techniques, ensuring gelatiers stay current with market trends. Programs include hands-on gelato-making workshops and seminars on new ingredients.

  • Contact: Email comprital@comprital.com, Tel. +39 02 9577 0829, Fax +39 02 9537 9118
  • Course Types: Gelato-Making (basic to advanced), Pastry, and Updating Seminars on semi-finished products. Sessions often coincide with new product launches.
  • Calendar: See the training page for current course dates.
  • Call to Action: Request Course Info or Visit School Website.
Disaronno Ingredients: Education & Application Institute (Altavilla Vicentina, Veneto)

www.disaronnoingredients.it

The Education, Creation & Application Institute of Disaronno Ingredients is a corporate training facility in Veneto dedicated to gelato and pastry professionals. Gelato is the institute’s “pulsating heart”. The modern training center offers five distinct gelato courses for current and future industry pros: Level 1 (fundamentals), Level 2 (advanced), Level 3 (expert), a Store Management/Marketing course, and a Counter-Service Techniques course. All courses are highly practical (“100% hands-on learning” through on-the-job labs).

  • Contact: Tel. +39 0444 333600, Email info@disaronnoingredients.com
  • Course Types: Gelato Level 1/2/3, Soft-Gelato Techniques, Gelato Shop Marketing & Management, Counter-Service (5-Star Service).
  • Brochure/Calendar: A downloadable brochure (“Guarda la brochure”) lists upcoming dates – check the Disaronno site for registration details.
  • Call to Action: Request Course Info or Visit Official Site.
Fabbri Master Class (Bologna, Emilia-Romagna)

www.fabbri1905.com

Fabbri Master Class is the Fabbri 1905 training center dedicated to the professional development of gelato makers, pastry chefs, baristas, and bartenders. Courses are held in the laboratories at the Bologna headquarters and are available as individual, customized sessions or in group format. The training offer is aimed both at beginners and those looking to refine their skills.

Fabbri Master Class relies on top industry professionals to provide high-quality tools and resources that support creativity and excellence at every stage of gelato and pastry production.

Contacts: commerciale@fabbri1905.com – Tel. +39 051 6173111 / Toll-free number +39 800 019203
Course types and schedule: Courses in artisanal gelato and pastry makin

G&P LAB (Milano & Torino)

www.gpcenter.it

G&P LAB (operated by G&P Center) is a state-of-the-art professional training lab for gelato and pastry. With modern facilities in Milan and Turin, the lab was created by the Alvena group to share 40+ years of industry experience. G&P LAB offers a limited‑enrollment program of hands-on courses and demos taught by expert instructors. Training focuses on “best and innovative production, decoration and presentation techniques” in gelato and pastry. Their practical workshops allow participants to learn by doing under personal guidance.

  • Contact: Email lab@gpcenter.it, Tel. +39 02 5681 4412 (Milan), +39 011 739 1641 (Turin)
  • Course Types: Gelato & Pastry Basics, Advanced Specialties (mono-portion desserts, chocolates, etc.), Thematic Demos. Many courses fill up quickly – class sizes are small for optimal learning.
  • Calendar: Download the annual G&P LAB brochure (Milan/Torino) from the website for exact dates and topics.
  • Request Course Info or Visit School Website.
PreGel International Training Center (Reggio Emilia, Italia)

www.pregel.it/itc/

Il PreGel International Training Center è la divisione formativa di PreGel S.p.A., azienda italiana leader nella produzione di ingredienti per gelateria e pasticceria, fondata nel 1967. I Centri di Formazione Internazionali sono stati creati per supportare chi desidera intraprendere un percorso formativo finalizzato alla crescita professionale, seguendo un metodo collaudato ideato da esperti gelatieri e pasticceri PreGel. Situato a Reggio Emilia, il centro offre una formazione completa nella produzione di gelato artigianale e nella pasticceria, utilizzando attrezzature all’avanguardia e ingredienti di alta qualità. I corsi sono strutturati in modo dinamico per favorire l’interazione tra docente e studente e prevedono l’utilizzo dei migliori ingredienti e di tecnologie avanzate.

Contact: trainingcenter@pregel.com
Telephone: +39 0522 394 211
Address: Via A. Frank n°62, Reggio Emilia, Italia
Course Types: Gelato courses, pastry training, business development.
• Request information about the courses or visit the school's website

Prodotti Rubicone-Gelato College (Bertinoro, Emilia-Romagna)

www.prodottirubicone.com

Rubicone Gelato College is the training school of Prodotti Rubicone, located at their headquarters in Bertinoro. This fully equipped “talent-building” lab offers 100% hands-on gelato courses using the company’s own product line. Programs include a Start-Up Gelato Course (for opening a gelateria), a Soft-Serve Ice Cream Course, a Frozen Pastry Course (gelato cakes, semifreddi), a Gelato Sticks & Mixer Basics Course, and Customized Training. All courses are flexible (“dates at the student’s choice”) and taught by expert gelato-makers.

  • Contact: Tel. +39 0543 448451, Fax +39 0543 448193
  • Courses: Professional Gelato-Making (Classic & Soft-Serve), Frozen Pastry (gelato cakes/semifreddi), Gelato Sticks & Planetary Mixer, Customized Masterclasses
  • Schedule: Course dates are flexible; contact the Gelato College for a current timetable.
  • Call to Action: Request Course Info or Visit School Website.
Tonino Leardini - Gelato Master School (Chiesanuova, San Marino)

www.gelatomasterschool.com

Tonino Leardini Gelato Master School is an exclusive academy named after Maestro Tonino Leardini. Its main campus is in San Marino, with sister locations in Rome and London. The school features a faculty of Italy’s top gelato masters and offers specialized courses in artisanal gelato production and gelateria management. Leardini (a multi‑time world champion) ensures a premium learning environment steeped in tradition and innovation.

  • Contact: Email info@gelatomasterschool.com, Tel. +378 0549 999435
  • Course Types: Gelato Fundamentals, Advanced Workshops (flavors, textures, plant-based, etc.), Staff Training (e.g., “Selecting & Managing a Winning Gelato Team” video course). The school also offers video and seasonal courses in English and Italian.
  • Calendar: Interactive calendar on the website shows upcoming in‑person courses (e.g., May 2025 courses listed).
  • Call to Action: Request Course Info or Visit School Website.
Training Lab - Città del Gelato (Noci, Puglia)

www.cittadelgelato.it - (see the Training section)

Training Lab at La Città del Gelato is a specialized center in Noci (Bari) focused on gelato culture. It was founded to promote authentic gelato and teach the pleasure of genuine, high-quality ice cream. The program offers professional training (both theory and practice) for aspiring gelato-makers, often in collaboration with local schools and industry partners. Courses cover traditional gelato production, ingredient selection and the science of gelato quality.

  • Contact: Email info@cittadelgelato.it, Tel. +39 080 4949779
  • Course Types: Introduction to Artisanal Gelato, Advanced Gelato Techniques, Gelato for Foodservice, plus seasonal workshops. The emphasis is on genuine, healthy ice cream and terroir ingredients.
  • Schedule: Ongoing courses each winter; inquiries can be made via their contact page or phone.
  • Call to Action: Request Course Info or Visit School Website.
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