Official Dessert Partner – Quality Food & Drink Awards 2026

Rooted in over 140 years of Italian gelato heritage, Caliendo’s Gelato is an award-winning independent artisan producer, foodservice supplier and gelato training school. The business brings generations of tradition together with modern creativity.

The story began in the 1880s, when the Caliendo family brought their gelato-making traditions from Naples to the streets of London’s Little Italy. Revived in 2019 by Michelina Caliendo-Sear and Fiona Bell, that family legacy has since grown into one of Britain’s most celebrated artisan gelato brands.

After winning the Quality Food Awards’ Small Producer of the Year in 2021, Caliendo’s embarked on an extraordinary journey. Since then, it has earned accolades including UK Parlour of the Year 2023, Time Out London’s No. 1 Gelato Parlour in 2024 and 2025, as well as numerous national food and industry awards.

Today, Caliendo’s operates from its artisan production lab and specialist training school in Bedfordshire. Alongside supplying bespoke crafted gelato to chefs and hospitality clients, they also offer a specialist small scale wholesale service for stockists. It continues to champion exceptional ingredients, traditional Italian craftsmanship and innovative flavour development, working closely with independent farmers and specialist producers to ensure that every batch reflects meticulous attention to provenance, quality and taste.

From timeless Italian classics to adventurous contemporary creations, Caliendo’s has developed a repertoire of over 200 flavours. These are enjoyed across premium hospitality, foodservice, private and corporate events.

Proud to return to the Quality Food & Drink Awards as the Official Dessert Partner for 2026, Caliendo’s represents what independent producers can achieve through passion, perseverance and an unwavering commitment to excellence.