Carmela Ice Cream began selling ice cream and sorbet at local farmers markets in 2007. Our dynamic flavor palate focuses on garden-inspired ingredients such as herbs and spices, flowers, and seasonal fruit. We use farmers market produce and organic dairy in our small-batch, artisan ice cream.

In 2011 we were chosen as the #1 Ice Cream Shop by LA Weekly and were voted Best Ice Cream by Pasadena Weekly. We also received the prestigious "Best of LA" award from Los Angeles Magazine in 2009.

Our ice cream and sorbet can be found at local farmers markets, specialty food stores, select restaurants and now at our Artisan Creamery in Pasadena.

We've partnered with some of our favorite local businesses - such as Valerie Confections, Sugarbird Sweets and Blue Cupcake - for toppings and other treats at our creamery.

We take great pride in sourcing our ingredients, such as our organic lavender, which comes from the Pelindaba Lavender Farm in the San Juan Islands or our organic seascape strawberries from local farmers market vendor, McGrath Family Farm.

Carmela Mortarotti was the grandmother of co-founder, Jessica Mortarotti. The daughter of a baker, Carmela taught Jessica the joys of working in the kitchen at a very young age. The name translates to garden.