La Dolce

WORDS BY JESSICA LACCETTI, PH.D PHOTOGRAPHY BY TARA WILDGOOSE

Vita

Downtown Edmonton, on one of the many benches with a view of the river valley, on a picnic with your person or as an after work treat, this spring weather just beckons a lick of an artisanal gelato.

Vita in Edmonton

Indulge in authentic Italian gelato

After several tastes of the real deal in Florence, Fatima Haymour and her business partner, Dr. Kusai Abuhamed decided a great way to give back to the city that gave them a supportive community would be to invest in businesses. Growing up on the northside of Edmonton, Haymour’s parents inculcated a love of the local area and a drive to engage with and grow the businesses there. For Haymour, one way to reciprocate that good will has been to enable residents to get more of what they need. Initially this came in the way of establishing two medical clinics: one in the rural area of Morinville

and one in the Old Scona area. When Haymour and her business partner focused on what could bring “more happiness” to people, they settled on opening La Carraia. This venture is Edmonton’s go-to for ▶

authentic Italian ice-cream. All the ingredients are either sourced locally (like the milk and the fresh fruits) or come directly from the original gelateria in Florence. That’s right folks, this is the real deal! You can find it in the heart of YEG at the base of The Mayfair on Jasper: 10067 - 109 Street.

This Edmonton location is a franchise of the original 1990 gelateria established in Florence by a wife and husband team who, like Fatima and her business partner, wanted to bring back the best part of the tradition. The gelateria in Florence is named after one of the oldest bridges there, Ponte alla Carraia which has five arches and stretches across the Arno

river. The bridge also metaphorically links Edmonton with a tasty and historic Italian side and is continuing to link Canada and the U.S. with soon to be opened locations in Vernon, BC and Long Island, New York. Auguri!

As Fatima aptly noticed, “Have you ever seen someone upset when eating an ice cream cone?” We haven’t! You can try it in a cone or in a cup, and amble along some walking paths, or

take a carton home and enjoy later with the family as some staycation fun. Satiate your sweet tooth and spoil yourself with any of the 24 luxurious tastes of real Italian gelato while enjoying the best of what Edmonton has to offer.

www.lacarraia.ca