Cuore di ratafià sorbet (cocoa and ratafià)

Simona Papagno is the founder and gelato maker of Criollo – Il bistrot del gelato, an artisanal lab in the heart of Rome that combines creativity, research and vision. After a degree in art history with a specialization in the chemistry and physics of restoration, she embarked on a long journey in gelato, culminating in training at the Italian School of Gelato in Perugia and the creation of a project that fully reflects her personality and values.

Criollo is a place where experimentation is not an end in itself, but a way to tell stories through flavours that challenge the traditional boundaries of gelato. From gastronomic crossovers to plant-based inspirations, every creation is designed to surprise and move people. The shop also offers ketogenic, gluten-free, lactose-free and low-sugar options, with an attention to nutritional balance supported by a collaboration with a nutritionist.

Simona's participation in international events such as the Sherbeth Festival, the Gelato Festival World Masters (finalist in 2026) and Gelato d'Oro has taken her vision beyond the borders of the capital, establishing her among the protagonists of contemporary signature gelato. Criollo is also a cultural space, where courses, tastings and gatherings are organized, with the ambition of spreading the culture of gelato as a creative language and a means of personal expression.