Homemade by Bruno’s Janine Bruno Opening a Gelateria and Pasta-Making Space in South Philly
Chef Janine Bruno never went to culinary school. She never planned on being a chef, she never saw herself hosting pasta-making workshops and culinary classes, and she certainly never saw herself competing in international gelato competitions. Even more so, she never imagined she’d be in a position to compete for the best gelato in the world. Over the past three years, Bruno has accomplished all of that, but now, she’s ready for her biggest and most ambitious venture yet.
Bruno is opening her first brick and mortar — Homemade by Bruno at 1245 S. 15th Street in Philadelphia’s Point Breeze neighborhood. The 400-square foot space, located at the corner of 15th and Wharton Streets, will be a gelato production facility for her retail clients, which she’ll also open to the public occasionally, and serves as a space for group pasta-making classes and other private culinary events. Homemade by Bruno will feature a custom pasta counter that can accommodate up to eight people, with additional counter space to seat another eight.
The shop will open to the public for a few hours on Friday, March 25th at 3 p.m., and Bruno will be introducing herself to the neighborhood by giving away complimentary cups of her award-winning Italian Rainbow Cookie gelato and Vegan Lemon Basil Sorbetto. The giveaway will last until sellout. After opening, Bruno will announce opening times on Instagram for pints of gelato and sorbet purchases, but her shop will not be open every day. Her focus will be on production, classes and collaborations.
Gelato will eventually be available as pre-made cups, pints, and as push-pops. Additionally, Bruno will bring in a number of businesses and restaurants to collaborate and make custom flavors and concepts, and she plans on offering custom “gelato cakes” in various sizes. Bruno’s gelato has been featured at Ember & Ash (pig’s blood gelato), at Kalaya Thai Kitchen in the form of push-pops, and several other Philadelphia-area businesses.
“I’m so excited to open my pasta and gelato shop in Philly and finally have my own space that isn’t my home kitchen,” said Bruno. “When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, it truly changed the trajectory of my entire life. I kept thinking about how I wouldn’t know I was very sick if I didn’t go to the doctor for something unrelated. Throughout it all, I stayed strong and positive because I knew I did not have another choice. Having that purpose and sharing it with others brought me back to life. I discovered a passion and talent that I didn’t know I had. It’s also very important to me to always be aware of what I am putting in my body, so I make sure to use only the best ingredients. I always say that I want to debunk the myth that pasta is unhealthy, and I’ll be teaching people about that, as well as the difference between ice cream and gelato.”
Learn more about Homemade by Bruno by visiting http://homemadebybruno.com.
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