The inside scoop on Rochester's mobile gelato parlor
After spending a summer making gelato for a shop in town, Jeremy Marquez was inspired to create his own traditional Italian gelato and spent a year experimenting with natural recipes.
That work culminated three weeks ago when Jeremy and his wife, Jessica, opened The Wandering Scoop — a bright green mobile gelato parlor.
The Wandering Scoop offers a different experience than the typical food truck. While Marquez serves gelato out the back, guests can climb aboard and enjoy their treat inside the converted school bus, which has been retrofitted with diner-style booths and checkered floors.
“I’ve loved this setup and have really enjoyed running the business so far,” said Marquez. “The reception has been great and people have been really enjoying the different flavors.”
Marquez has crafted his recipes to mirror classic Italian gelato using only pure, simple ingredients. He says doing so helps distinguish his product from some of the complex or prepackaged recipes used elsewhere.
“Years and years ago, it used to be really simple; they would make gelato fresh every day with just milk, sugar and starch.”
Jeremy Marquez of The Wandering Scoop
Marquez collaborates with Kappers Big Red Barn in Chatfield on a custom gelato mix. He then mixes the gelato at Chocalatarie Stam with other ingredients to make flavors such as strawberries and cream, cold brew coffee and forest berry sorbet. (The Wandering Scoop also offers multiple nut and dairy-free options. )
The Wandering Scoop has served gelato at Rochester breweries and several events including Little Thistle Brewery’s Pup Cup. You can catch the Wandering Scoop at the Rochester Farmers Market this Saturday, where they attend weekly.
Marquez plans to work at more private events including weddings and graduation parties and hopes to become a year-round staple.
The Wandering Scoop is a family endeavor, and Marquez says his two kids have the most important job.
“They love to be my little taste-testers.”
Haley Handelman is a summer news intern for Med City Beat. A graduate of Mayo High School, she now studies at Northwestern University.
