The people behind the bear
Who we are?
Traditionally crafted but oh so unconventionally delicious! That is the ethos that drives the Bear Gelato team.
The team behind Bear, Ryan Scott and Kahwen Tan, left their tech careers in Berlin in January 2023 to pursue their dream of starting their own business.
During the COVID lockdowns in Berlin, their local café, Early Bird, became a haven for daily coffees and gelato, and they soon forged a friendship with the Italian owner, Lorenzo. Inspired by the exceptional quality of the gelato at Early Bird, they decided to immerse themselves into mastering the craft. Before returning home, they spent three months working at Lorenzo’s shop and visited some of Europe’s top gelaterias to learn more about their manufacturing and flavour development processes.
After hundreds of test batches and blind taste tests, Bear Gelato launched in September 2023. Their vision is to bring Auckland to the rich, velvety textures of traditional Italian gelato while igniting a sense of adventure and fun with their unconventional flavour combinations.
How are we different?
By making everything from scratch using traditional Italian techniques (without pre-made bases and flavour pastes), any ingredient can be transformed into well-balanced gelato. This enables them to create unique and unconventional flavour combinations not often found in gelato.
Each month, part of their menu features a special ingredient or concept, such as spices, nuts, or tea infusions. With over 50 distinctive creations, including favourites like gochujang caramel and peanut & lime, Bear Gelato offers something for everyone - whether you’re a daring adventurer or someone who enjoys classic tastes. They are all about reimagining New Zealand’s beloved desserts in a playful and sometimes unconventional way.
What’s a bear got to do with gelato?
Bear Gelato is a tribute to the four years they spent in Berlin, and where they mastered the art of traditional Italian gelato. The name is also a nod to Early Bird, the local gelateria where they first learnt their craft. And let’s be honest - who doesn’t have a soft spot for bears?
