Ice cream in winter? Why not! A scoop always tastes good, whatever the season. Because sometimes a tub of ice cream is all it takes to bring summer back for a moment. We can all agree on this: enjoyment knows no season. Right? And that’s especially true for the Gatterer family!
In the middle of the Puster Valley beats the culinary heart of a family business with a history. Now in the third generation, brothers Lukas and Matthäus Gatterer combine their love of bread, pastries and ice cream in an extraordinary culinary experience. Lukas, a master baker with vision, stands for the handcrafted and the savoury. Matthäus, a pastry chef with a feel for tradition and innovation, turns sweet dreams into reality. From the bakehouse in Kiens to the ice cream parlour in the centre of Bruneck: at five locations, guests are welcomed not only with fresh specialities every day but above all with personality and true hospitality. A visit here is more than a quick bit of shopping - it feels like being welcomed by friends. Or rather: just like being with the Gatterer family.
AROMEA Airdesign also adds that certain something. Admittedly - in a bakehouse full of freshly baked loaves or an ice cream parlour where the sight alone makes you want more, that’s no easy task. And yet it turns out that scent is a powerful part of the brand. It heightens emotions, stays in the memory and rounds off the experience perfectly - at the Gatterers’ too. In our interview, Matthäus Gatterer reveals which scent is used and which ice cream flavour the owners favour.
How do ice cream, bread and patisserie fit under one roof?
Matthäus Gatterer: Ice cream is summer’s cake - and bread is the foundation. Together they make a well-rounded idea of enjoyment: sweet meets savoury, warm meets cold.
What makes your ice cream parlour and your bakery and patisserie so special?
Matthäus Gatterer: We attach great importance to sourcing regionally and work closely with local producers for our bread, our cakes, our ice cream and our snacks too - from eggs and selected types of flour to milk or strawberries in summer. Many of our ingredients come directly from the region. That’s not only sustainable but also means freshness and quality you can taste. What also sets us apart is that we regularly change our range in every area. That keeps what we offer exciting and seasonal - for our customers and for ourselves alike.
How important are regional ingredients and traditional production methods to you?
Matthäus Gatterer: As I said, we attach great importance to using regional ingredients. We know many of our producers personally - some of them have even become friends. This close network creates trust that is mutual. We value not only the high quality of the products but also the short delivery routes and the direct contact. That makes our work reliable, sustainable - and simply human.
You have several locations. Is AROMEA scent marketing used in all your branches?
Matthäus Gatterer: We’ve installed scent marketing from AROMEA Airdesign in two of our branches on a trial basis - and we’re thrilled! The fine scent notes can be noticed even before you reach the entrance, and they create an inviting, pleasant atmosphere.
Which fragrance is used - and why did you choose it?
Matthäus Gatterer: In our ice cream parlour we use the fragrance “Cookie Dough” - a delicious biscuit aroma with a fine note of vanilla. The slightly sweet scent suits our ice cream perfectly and creates a warm atmosphere that invites you to enjoy yourself.
In our bakery and patisserie shop we use the fragrance “Frisches Brot”, or fresh bread. Delicate roasted aromas fill the room and give you the feeling of standing right in front of the oven - authentic, familiar and simply appetising.
How do your guests react to the scent ambience?
Matthäus Gatterer: Our guests are very enthusiastic about the pleasant scents in our branches - the feedback is positive across the board. Many find the fragrance compositions inviting, warm and particularly well matched to the range in each shop. This feedback has encouraged us to introduce scent marketing with AROMEA Airdesign in our three remaining branches as well.
Hand on your foodie heart: your personal favourite ice cream flavour?
Matthäus Gatterer: I don’t really have a favourite flavour - simply because I rarely choose the same one twice. I’m extremely curious and love trying new things. That often inspires me to develop flavours of my own and experiment with unusual combinations.
And finally: is there anything else you’d like to tell our readers?
Matthäus Gatterer: Uniqueness is important to me - and that’s exactly what AROMEA Airdesign brings. With such a wide choice of fragrances, there’s the right note for every concept. I’m thrilled! Photos: Alfred Tschager
The Gatterer brothers
