Mariana Galvão, Vero Latte Gelato Founder and CEO: “To me, every flavor is a tribute. It is a way of celebrating a person, preserving a memory, or telling a story through flavor. Only after that emotional connection is established do we begin refining the recipe until it reaches the perfect balance of authenticity, elegance, and exceptional taste.”

Founded in 2014, Vero Latte Gelato has established itself as one of Brazil’s leading premium artisanal gelato brands by combining authentic Italian craftsmanship with a philosophy centered on celebrating life’s most meaningful moments. Headquartered in São Paulo, the company was founded by Mariana Galvão, whose remarkable transition from a successful legal career to the culinary world became the foundation of a business driven by passion, creativity, and purpose. While pursuing an International Chef program during her first pregnancy, Galvão discovered her calling through the creation of unimaginable flavours, ‘falling in love’ with all possibilities, starting a three signature gelato flavors, Brigadeiro, Pistachio, and Strawberry, first served at her eldest daughter’s birthday celebration and received an overwhelmingly positive response. That defining experience inspired a broader vision rooted in creating desserts made with real, carefully selected ingredients that families could enjoy with confidence and delight. Rather than simply producing frozen desserts, Vero Latte Gelato embraced the belief that exceptional food has the power to bring people together, transforming everyday gatherings and milestone celebrations into memorable experiences. This philosophy evolved into the company’s defining principle, “The Art of Living Well,” which continues to shape its identity by emphasizing authenticity, craftsmanship, premium quality, and emotional connection in every product it creates, while positioning the brand as more than a gelato manufacturer by offering an experience that celebrates togetherness, hospitality, and the joy of sharing.

Today, Vero Latte Gelato serves a sophisticated clientele that includes premium consumers, luxury residential developments, upscale hotels, fine dining restaurants, cafés, corporate clients, event organizers, wedding planners, and gourmet food enthusiasts seeking distinctive culinary experiences. The company’s extensive portfolio includes handcrafted Italian-style gelato, mini gelatos on a stick, gourmet bombons, Gran Gelatos, lactose-free selections, and refreshing fruit sorbets, alongside customized product development tailored to the unique requirements of hospitality partners, luxury events, and corporate activations. Every offering reflects an unwavering commitment to artisanal production methods, premium ingredients, elegant presentation, and innovation that meets the expectations of discerning customers without compromising authenticity. Vero Latte Gelato has earned the confidence of globally recognized luxury brands such as Tiffany & Co., L’Occitane, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Adidas, demonstrating its ability to deliver exceptional products for exclusive events and prestigious collaborations while maintaining consistently high standards of quality and service. Operating from its headquarters in São Paulo, the company continues to strengthen its position within Brazil’s premium dessert market by blending culinary excellence with meaningful storytelling, creating products that enrich celebrations, elevate hospitality experiences, and reinforce its mission of enchanting life’s most cherished moments through handcrafted gelato that reflects both tradition and innovation.

In conversation with Mariana Galvão, Founder and CEO of Vero Latte Gelato

You left a ten-year law career to become a gelatiere. What was the single moment that made you trade the suit for the apron?

There wasn’t one defining moment—it was a gradual realization that I wanted to build something that reflected my creativity, purpose, and passion. Law gave me invaluable business skills, debate, negotiation, and strategic thinking, but creating gelato allowed me to connect with people through emotion and shared experiences. I decided to exchange certainty for purpose, and it has been the most rewarding decision of my life.

You created the “dessert on a toothpick” format. How did you come up with this unique way of experiencing gelato?

I’ve always loved welcoming friends into my home. Setting a beautiful table, paying attention to every little detail, and creating an atmosphere where people feel special has always brought me joy.

That passion naturally inspired Vero Latte’s signature format. I envisioned a smaller, more elegant gelato on a stick that could be beautifully displayed on serving trays, making it effortless for hosts to serve guests while adding sophistication to the table. It transforms dessert into part of the experience itself.

One memorable event perfectly illustrated this idea: instead of presenting the gelatos on a traditional tray, I displayed them inside a jewelry box, as though each gelato were a precious jewel. It conveyed exactly what I believe Vero Latte represents—a handcrafted dessert worthy of admiration before the very first bite. It was a beautiful and unforgettable experience.

Your flavors include lemongrass, paçoca, caramelized banana, and coconut with cocada.

How do you dream up and develop these uniquely Brazilian combinations?

Brazil offers one of the richest culinary cultures in the world, and I find endless inspiration in its flavors, traditions, and memories. I enjoy reinterpreting beloved Brazilian desserts and regional ingredients through authentic Italian gelato techniques, creating recipes that feel both familiar and unexpectedly refined.

Many of our flavors are deeply personal because they are inspired by people who have been part of Vero Latte’s story. Sometimes a flavor begins with someone’s favorite dessert—a dear friend’s cherished childhood treat, for example—which I reinterpret as a gelato on a stick so that special pleasure can always be waiting in their freezer. I love transforming memories into something people can taste and share.

To me, every flavor is a tribute. It is a way of celebrating a person, preserving a memory, or telling a story through flavor. Only after that emotional connection is established do we begin refining the recipe until it reaches the perfect balance of authenticity, elegance, and exceptional taste.

That philosophy has become part of Vero Latte’s identity: we don’t simply create gelato—we create experiences, emotions, and moments that bring people together around The Art of Living Well.

You use selected cocoa from the best regions and local fresh fruit. As a leader, how do you stay committed to quality when cheaper ingredients would be easier?

Quality is never negotiable. Every ingredient represents our brand’s promise to customers. Premium cocoa, fresh fruit, and carefully selected dairy products may cost more, but they create an experience that customers immediately recognize. Long-term trust is far more valuable than short-term savings.

You also make bombons, Gran Gelatos, zero lactose options, and sorbets. What is the creative process behind launching a new product at Vero Latte?

Innovation at Vero Latte goes far beyond creating new flavors. One of our strongest specialties is developing exclusive flavor experiences for companies and brands, transforming their identity into something people can literally taste.

Every creative process begins with imagination. I immerse myself in the brand’s values, purpose, and story, then connect them with the philosophy that Vero Latte breathes: creating meaningful experiences that awaken the senses and bring people together.

Whether we’re developing a signature gelato, a corporate gift, or an exclusive collection, our goal is always the same—to create products that evoke emotion, tell a story, and leave a lasting memory.

You specialized in gelato at Carpigiani University in Bologna. How did Italian tradition blend

with Brazilian ingredients to create something entirely new?

My education in Bologna gave me a deep respect for authentic Italian gelato techniques. Bringing that knowledge back to Brazil allowed me to reinterpret those traditions using extraordinary local ingredients. The result is not Italian gelato made in Brazil—it is Brazilian artisanal gelato inspired by ITALIAN EXCELLENCE.

What does the future hold for your company and its customers? Are exciting things on the way?

Absolutely. We are expanding our partnerships with premium developments, hospitality, restaurants, cafés, and corporate clients while continuing to introduce innovative products and exclusive flavor collections.

Our vision is to establish Vero Latte as one of Brazil’s leading premium artisanal gelato brands, always surprising customers with unique experiences. Above all, my purpose is to create an atmosphere of lightness, joy, and genuine connection—a beautiful way of living life where people gather, celebrate, and enjoy meaningful moments together.

I truly believe that, by inspiring people to embrace The Art of Living Well, this philosophy can ripple far beyond our tables and our gelato, reaching communities around the world. And perhaps, in our own small way, we can help make the world a little better.

Meet the leader behind the success of Vero Latte Gelato

Mariana Galvão is the Founder and CEO of Vero Latte Gelato. A former attorney with more than a decade of legal experience, she transformed her entrepreneurial vision into a premium artisanal gelato brand after specializing at Carpigiani University in Bologna, Italy.

Driven by innovation, excellence, and authentic hospitality, she blends Italian craftsmanship with Brazilian creativity to redefine premium desserts. Beyond creating exceptional gelato, her mission is to cultivate environments that inspire people to embrace The Art of Living Well—celebrating life with beauty, warmth, generosity, and meaningful human connection.

“Every creative process begins with imagination. I immerse myself in the brand’s values, purpose, and story, then connect them with the philosophy that Vero Latte breathes: creating meaningful experiences that awaken the senses and bring people together.”