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A personal note from Viki Petkova, Founder & Certified Artisan Gelato and Pastry Chef
I never imagined that one day I would dedicate my life to making authentic Italian gelato.
In many ways, my story began long before Italy, long before Delini, and long before I ever dreamed of becoming an artisan gelato maker.
It began in a small mountain town in Bulgaria, in a home where food was our way of showing love.
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My mother and grandmother prepared everything from scratch. Every meal was homemade, every birthday cake was baked in our kitchen, and every family celebration brought us together around the same table.
They believed that the best food didn't need to be complicated. When you begin with beautiful ingredients and prepare them with patience and care, the flavors speak for themselves.
As a child, I simply thought that was normal. Only years later did I realize how deeply those moments had shaped the way I see food, hospitality, and the joy of bringing people together.
After earning degrees in Economics and Business Administration, I built a successful career in accounting in Bulgaria. My future seemed clear until life surprised me in the most beautiful way.
I met my husband, fell in love, and made the difficult decision to leave behind my family, my career, and everything familiar to begin a new life in the United States.
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Starting over wasn't easy. Like so many immigrants, I had to build a new life from the ground up while holding tightly to the traditions that made me feel at home.
When our first daughter, Delina, was born, those traditions became more important than ever. I wanted her to grow up surrounded by the same warmth I had known as a child — homemade food, family gatherings, laughter around the table, and simple moments that become lifelong memories.
A few years later, during a family trip to Italy, I experienced something that quietly changed the course of my life.
For the first time, I watched authentic Italian gelato being made by hand.
Of course, it tasted incredible. But what captivated me wasn't the flavor alone — it was the craftsmanship. I watched artisans transform fresh milk, ripe fruit, premium chocolate, and carefully selected nuts into something extraordinary — not through unnecessary complexity, but through patience, precision, and deep respect for every ingredient.
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Standing there, I felt something I hadn't expected. It reminded me of home. It reminded me of my mother and grandmother cooking in our kitchen in Bulgaria.
In that moment, I realized I hadn't simply fallen in love with gelato. I had fallen in love with a philosophy I had known my entire life — a philosophy built on honesty, simplicity, craftsmanship, and the belief that beautiful ingredients deserve to shine.
From that day forward, I wanted to learn everything I could — not because I wanted to open another ice cream shop, but because I wanted to master a craft.
I stepped away from the security of the career I had spent years building and dedicated myself to studying authentic Italian gelato and pastry. I trained with respected Italian and European artisans, earned professional certifications, traveled, experimented, and devoted countless hours to learning techniques that have been passed down through generations.
Even today, I continue to learn, because true craftsmanship is never finished.
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In 2020, that dream became Delini Gelato. I named the company after our first daughter, Delina, because in many ways, Delini has grown alongside our family.
Two years later, after a ten-year journey filled with hope, heartbreak, and perseverance, we welcomed our second daughter, Amaya. She reminds us every day that the most meaningful things in life are often the ones worth fighting for.
Today, Delini has grown into a boutique gelato catering company serving weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations throughout Greater Boston and New England.
People sometimes ask me how much Delini has grown over the years.
The truth is, I don't measure our success by the number of events we've served or the awards we've received.
I measure it by the trust people place in us.
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I'm still the person who replies to your first email.
I'm the one who takes the time to learn about your wedding, your family, or your company so every detail feels personal.
I help you choose your flavors, design ideas for your custom signage, worry about the weather with you, and make sure everything is exactly as promised on the day of your event.
And yes, I'm still the person who stays up late experimenting with recipes because I believe there's always another flavor to discover, another technique to refine, and another way to make something just a little better.
That's the part of this business most people never see. Because I would — I believe true craftsmanship lives in the details.
Delini may have grown over the years, but it has never stopped being personal. When you invite us to your celebration, you're not simply hiring a dessert caterer. You're inviting my family to become a small part of one of the most meaningful days of yours. That is a privilege I will never take for granted.
Every scoop we serve carries a piece of my family's story — the traditions I grew up with, the years I devoted to mastering this craft, and the love that inspired me to begin this journey.
I've always believed that the best celebrations are not defined by extravagance, but by the people we share them with. If, years from now, your family and friends remember gathering around our gelato, sharing a laugh, and celebrating together, then I'll know we've done our job.
Thank you for considering Delini to be part of your story.
With gratitude,
Viki Petkova
Founder & Certified Artisan Gelato and Pastry Chef
Tell us about your celebration — your date, venue, guest count, and the experience you're dreaming of — and we'll help you make it unforgettable.
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