THE SWEETER THINGS
Nick Palumbo’s children Remi and Ayrton have enjoyed scoops of Gelato Messina since they were six months old (in “tiny doses”, the brand’s founder assures us). His business and his family are closely connected, even when he’s not supplying treats to his kids: Nick’s brother Danny Palumbo is also a co-owner, and Danny’s son Alessandro clocked weekend shifts at Gelato Messina during high school. While welcoming relatives into the workplace can have a downside (“My kids treat Messina as an extension of their house, which is not always a good thing,” says Nick), it’s a success most of the time. Danny heads HR and operations, and Nick develops the recipes. Alessandro has moved from gelato-scooping to marketing and then into the kitchen, where he oversees chocolate, nut and yoghurt production. Given the Palumbos’ (literally) sweet careers, surely they’re popular at family gatherings, especially if arriving with tubs of gelato? Yes, any dessert they bring is a hit, “but there is always an element of criticism on how we could make it better,” says Nick. The brothers have spent more than a decade working together, and share the same favourite gelato flavour (tiramisù). Danny still remains on his one-scoop daily diet, while his son limits himself to two scoops a week. “Gotta keep my sugar intake in check!” says Alessandro. gelatomessina.com
1 Bloombox
Ever stood in a florist and felt paralysed by the vast range of options? Bloombox takes choosing flowers and carting them home out of the equation with this simple subscription service. Choose from three sizes, opt for a style (creative or classic) and you’ll have ready-to-arrange blooms couriered to your home weekly or monthly. From $53.90, bloomboxco.com.au
2 Good Pair Days
By combining personalised orders and the good taste of sommelier Banjo Harris (former sommelier at Attica, Quay and Bar Liberty), Good Pair Days is a refreshed wine subscription service. Bonus points for the “happiness promise”, which means if you’re not keen on a bottle, they’ll send you another for free in your next pack. They also include custom recipe suggestions to accompany different drops, and special editions that focus on varietals and regions. From $45, goodpairdays.com
3 Cheese Therapy
Savour cheeses from around the world in the quiet comfort of your own home with this special dairy dispatch. Cheese Therapy sends cheese-packed monthly boxes across Australia, including regional areas that may not have the same easy access to delis and cheese shops that city slickers do. Boxes include four cheeses – typically a combination of hard, soft, stinky and blue – made up of international rarities and locally-sourced wedges. You may end up with a slice of ripe aged goat’s-milk cheese from Holland, a round of Woombye ash brie from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland, or an intense washed rind from West Gippsland. From $80, cheesetherapy.com.au