From family tradition to artisan gelato mastery
Our family’s story began in 1988, when we opened a humble shop in Kota Kinabalu serving herbal drinks, sweet soups, and fusion desserts. It was a place built on tradition, wellness, and the joy of gathering.
Milestone: 1988 - Family Roots in Chinese Herbs and Sweet SoupsFor me, dessert has always been the happy ending to every meal. No matter where I went, I would look for ice cream or gelato after dining. This small obsession planted the dream to one day create gelato that could bring joy to others.
Milestone: A Sweet ObsessionI spent four years in Tasmania and Melbourne, immersing myself in the café culture and exploring gelato and coffee knowledge through classes and hands-on experiences. Melbourne, in particular, inspired me with its gelato trends and entrepreneurial spirit — and I knew I wanted to bring that inspiration back to East Malaysia.
Milestone: 2015–2019 – Learning Abroad in AustraliaIn Melbourne, I discovered Fabbri 1905, a renowned Italian family brand with over a century of tradition. Their commitment to quality and artistry in gelato products resonated deeply with me, and I began to appreciate not just the flavors, but the heritage behind them.
Milestone: Discovering Fabbri 1905My journey then connected me to Chef Leong, the Fabbri brand ambassador in Kuala Lumpur. He became a mentor and opened the door to deeper knowledge, strengthening my passion and vision for gelato in East Malaysia.
Milestone: Meeting Chef Leong in KLThrough Chef Leong, we collaborated with Gelatomania, his company, to bring the eco gelato system — a sustainable and scalable model for gelato businesses — to East Malaysia. This collaboration became the foundation for growth in Sabah and Sarawak.
Milestone: Collaboration with GelatomaniaTo focus on research, development, and the business journey, we formed Aicogelato Sdn Bhd. This company became the driving force to not only serve gelato but to build a knowledge hub, fostering innovation and supporting future gelato entrepreneurs.
Milestone: Formation of Aicogelato Sdn BhdAs part of this vision, we launched Scoopy Love, our very first gelato retail outlet in BSA Kolombong, Kota Kinabalu. Here, we proudly serve handcrafted gelato made with imported premium Italian ingredients, carrying the motto: “Scooping, The Italian Way.”
Milestone: Opening Scoopy Love – Our First Gelato RetailToday, our mission is bigger than just one shop. We are working to share this eco gelato business model, with training, an academy, and entrepreneurial opportunities, across Sabah and Sarawak. This is about building a gelato culture, empowering people, and continuing a family legacy.
Milestone: Building an Eco Gelato System for East Malaysia
Founder & Artisan Gelato Maker
Aicogelato Sdn Bhd & Scoopy Love
Sophie Phan is the founder and artisan gelato maker behind Aicogelato and Scoopy Love. With a deep passion for culinary craftsmanship, she envisioned a brand that delivers distinctive desserts using premium, modern, and Italian-sourced ingredients.
Through Aicogelato, Sophie has taken the initiative to establish Sabah's Gelato Academy in collaboration with Gelatomania. This platform is dedicated to gelato education, offering workshops and hands-on skill development for aspiring artisans and entrepreneurs.
Co-Founder
Aicogelato Sdn Bhd & Scoopy Love
Alan Chew is the co-founder of Aicogelato and Scoopy Love, bringing strategic vision and expertise in sales, marketing, and coffee culture to the brand.
Alan leverages his background in strategic business development to create a coffee menu that perfectly complements gelato. His expertise in coffee not only enhances Scoopy Love's offerings but also creates a harmonious pairing that elevates the customer experience.
Sabah's Gelato Academy
Our academy is built on four core pillars designed to support artisans, partners, and curious makers across Sabah and beyond.
Sabah's Gelato Academy
Inspire and nurture the next generation of dessert artisans through hands-on workshops, masterclasses, and collaborative learning experiences
Sabah's Gelato Academy
Develop and localise flavours using Italian-sourced and other premium ingredients. Collaborate with Gelatomania to refine and share innovative concepts
Sabah's Gelato Academy
Provide complete gelato solutions—from finished products to pre-mix bases—designed for retail kiosks, events, and business partners
Sabah's Gelato Academy
Customise gelato experiences for private parties, weddings, and corporate functions to bring a unique, memorable touch to every event
A fun, hands-on introduction to the world of gelato designed for kids and teens.
Crafting gelato, building connections. An engaging group activity that brings colleagues, friends or families together through the art of gelato making.
An intensive program for serious gelato enthusiasts and professionals who want to master advanced techniques, flavor development, and the art of authentic Italian gelato.
