'Pistachio prince' shares a taste of Italy

He opened his gelato shop in the middle of 2024, a deliberate decision. "Shanghai is the perfect place for a gelato shop," Conti explains. "The city's cosmopolitan nature means the people are open to authentic Italian desserts."

The establishment adheres to traditional Italian methods, using seasonal fruits, natural nuts, fresh milk, and eggs in its handcrafted recipes. The shop's signature yellow interior was also deliberately chosen to reflect Sicily's sun-drenched landscapes.

Conti's path to running a gelato shop is rooted in his love for food. "In Sicily, food is central to everything," he says. In 2023, he returned to Italy for formal culinary training, focusing on gelato-making techniques before launching his Shanghai venture.

The shop's most popular offering is pistachio gelato, made with nuts sourced from Conti's home region. This flavor holds particular significance for him — it was his childhood favorite in Sicily, earning him the nickname the "pistachio prince" from his father and social media followers.

Food is how Conti connects with people and shares his culture. This philosophy guides both his business and his content as an influencer.