Gelato Cafe “LA PORTA” is a wholesaler to local restaurants and original gelato manufacturer (ODM).
A tabletop pancake cooker (SDR-SE-TT) was introduced for the production of Dorayaki with gelato sandwiches.

Mr. Hong originally studied law at Tunghai University in Taichung, where he also worked as a teacher. During his overseas training, he was impressed by the delicious gelato he tasted in Europe and decided to start a gelato store. He then trained in authentic Italy and opened a restaurant in Taichung in 2017.
“The floor above the store is a gelato workshop.In addition to the cafes, LA PORTA’s gelato is sold at 12 locations in Fengyuan District and 28 locations outside of the prefecture. We distribute wholesale to Italian restaurants, cafes, and resort hotels.”
About six kinds of gelato were on display, including black sesame imported from Japan, vanilla from Madagascar, dragon fruit, and salted peanuts. The most popular taste is pistachio. The colors and flavors of the natural ingredients themselves are used, with as little processing as possible.
“We also receive requests to develop gelato using regional specialties, such as persimmon and wasabi gelato.”

The tabletop pancake cooker was put in two weeks ago (at the time of the interview on November 3, 2023). He was in the process of prototyping recipe to go with the gelato.
“We are making prototypes on weekdays and serving them on weekends to get feedback how it goes since we have a lot of customers.”
Originally, he was acquainted with a company in Taipei that produced Dorayaki using MASDAC full automatic Dorayaki machine, and they supplied him with wholesale Dorayaki crusts to make gelato Dorayaki.
LA PORTA also participated as an exhibitor at the Bakery Show in Taipei in February 2023, and seeing a tabletop pancake cooker introduced by Chubu Electric, which was also exhibiting, prompted the purchase.

On the ground floor of the store, a gelato workshop is partially open to the public, and a tabletop pancake cooker is also located under the counter visible to customers, giving the store a live atmosphere.
“Showing to customers will increase the effectiveness of the promotion. When the quantity increases, we are planning to get wholesale Dorayaki crusts from a company that has a fully automatic machine.”

They plan to bring a tabletop pancake cooker to a sweets shop in an upscale residential area to sell gelato Dorayaki, as well as to a resort area in Kenting, south of Taiwan.
There are currently six staff members. The president himself develops products.
“Now that production has stabilized, we would like to expand into more business categories.For example, I would like to do some light meals, like sandwiches with local food.”

During our conversation, I asked him if it was difficult for him to expand his business from a different industry to this level. I was impressed when he smiled and said, “It’s a lot of fun, and every day is fresh and new, and that’s what motivates me.”
Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with us!
Date of interview: November 3, 2023

LA PORTA Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/laportagelato/

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