We value three things above all else: graciousness, resourcefulness, and integrity. We’re on the lookout for detailed and creative people who live to go the extra mile and love to learn; team members who are ready to bring new ideas to the table so we can grow together.

Disclaimer: We’re about to get pretty detailed, but you should know if this is a good fit for you before you take time to apply. And hey, if you like getting into the nitty-gritty and dig details, you’re off to a good start as a potential member of our team. Read on!

Our passion is making deliciously unique gelato, sorbetto, desserts, drinks (and all the fun extras). We believe food made with the best ingredients and by the best team creates the best experiences both for the team and our guests.

We are all about creating a place for friends to gather and enjoy time with each other. No wifi. No tv. Just traditionally-made gelati (plural for “gelato), sorbetti (you guessed it: plural for sorbetto), and desserts made by hand in a vintage shop and enjoyed with good company.

And we do things a little differently than your everyday ice cream or gelato shop to create those great experiences: We look to provide five-star service in unexpected ways. This includes building out an upscale front of house (yes, including the washroom), gold-tray service (we literally use gold trays), personal french press service, and providing gelato and sorbetto tastings for each guest.

We’re constantly dreaming up new ways of presenting desserts, creating new flavours, and looking for ways to partner as locally as possible to get fresh ingredients close to home.

We expect a lot of each other but our team works together to give mountains back in return. If this sounds like the kind of team and work culture that would be second nature for you, please apply!

Our team members deliver fantastic experiences for our gelato guests while keeping the cleanest, safest, and most organized gelato shop (gelateria) — and making it look effortless.

There’s lots to learn, so what you don’t know yet, we’ll help you get there.

• Eligible to work in Canada and have secured local housing before start date (Nelson vacancy rates are low & housing for newcomers is notoriously difficult to secure).
• Local commute of 20 minutes or less preferred; daily long commutes during peak season and/or winter conditions have proven difficult in the past for our team; we strongly prefer local candidates.
• Summer-time commitment: You understand that this is the busiest time of year and you can commit to working from June 1 until the first week of September without vacations (we can make some accommodations for school and days may be swapped with co-workers, of course!)
• Minimum 20 hrs/week; able to stand up to 8 hrs/day, scoop repeatedly, and lift up to 25 kg, all with a positive attitude.
• Open to tasting and championing all menu items—including dairy, egg, nut, wheat, and grain products—so you can speak confidently about ingredients and suppliers.
• Bring a can‑do, resourceful mindset: view “problems” as creative challenges and find solutions that create outstanding guest experiences.
• Thrive in a team environment: naturally positive, uplifting, and committed to 5‑star service for guests and fellow team members.
• Use clean, respectful language at all times: no gossip, no divisive (social, political, etc.) or hurtful topics; steer conversations toward inclusivity and uphold everyone’s dignity, understanding that we all have different worldviews.
• Demonstrate integrity: be honest, own mistakes, follow through on commitments, and treat Gina’s Gelato as “everyone’s job,” pitching in where needed.
• Contribute to our team‑run TikTok and social media (you’re comfortable on camera and helping out behind the lens, too)
• Stay flexible with changing duties and schedules—ready to lend a hand or new ideas as needs arise.
• Enjoy working with people of all ages, listening to early 20th‑century music on shift, and adhering to our vintage‑inspired dress standards.

Positions Available: Openings for summer servers; training begins mid‑April to May. Outstanding performers earn priority for future summers or potential year‑round roles.

• Deliver gracious, knowledgeable, upbeat service to guests of all ages, embodying Gina’s Gelato’s values.
• Maintain shop sparkle: clean gelato displays, equipment, tables, chairs, shelves, glass surfaces, walls, waste bins, and floors.
• Ensure each flavour is fully stocked and presented attractively.
• Offer gelato and sorbetto samples; share flavour stories, ingredient origins, and local‑supplier tidbits.
• Prepare orders to guest requests, operate the POS, and handle cash transactions accurately.
• Work flexible shifts—early, mid‑day, or late evenings—and support team members across roles.
• Serve canine‑friendly treats outdoors and collaborate with kitchen staff on service and menu ideas.
• Monitor supplies (cones, cookies); alert kitchen when stock runs low and assist with inventory tracking.
• Approach challenges resourcefully, turning “problems” into memorable guest experiences.

Extras: Barista experience and FoodSafe certification are strong bonuses.

Gina is opening the kitchen for the first time to expand capacity (and save herself from 16+‑hour days). You’ll join a small but mighty team, help craft Nelson’s only hand‑made gelato (and other desserts :), refine processes, and leave your mark on our future.

Food ethics at Gina’s Gelato:
We uphold slow‑food ideals and make desserts that reflect old‑world ingredients, using only 100% natural ingredients sourced locally whenever possible. Gina (hi, that’s me! :) creates everything from scratch, from nut pastes to sweetened condensed milk, never relying on pre-made gelato or sorbetto bases. A rarity in the ice cream/gelato world, yes, and a process that takes much longer, but one that preserves genuine craft in dessert-making and the authenticity of slow food.

Our crew (including servers) is passionate about reducing food waste and exploring upcycling opportunities. In the kitchen, I’m looking to go from a one-woman show into a collaborative kitchen crew. If you’re excited to join in on this journey, please read on!

Position Overview:
We’re seeking a dedicated kitchen collaborator who is passionate about baking and eager to learn the craft of making gelato and desserts from scratch. You’ll receive hands-on training with gelato and sorbetto, and come with your own experience in a commercial kitchen (student or professional) with a focus on maintaining consistency, precision, and sparkling cleanliness.

(Seriously, we like to see things shine at Gina’s Gelato!)

This role requires someone who thrives in a clean, organized kitchen and values collaboration, growth, and creative problem-solving.

If you love the idea of being on the ground floor and shaping the direction of the kitchen, value the beauty of slow food, and want to contribute to a food-focused small business with an all-natural perspective and slow-food values, our kitchen is for you!

Positions available:

• Pastry & Gelato Chef — full‑time, year‑round. Graduates or equivalent pro experience in technical pastry, baking, or gelato production; portfolio and references required.
• Culinary Student Intern — 28 Apr – 6 Sept (WIL); must be enrolled in a culinary/pastry program and returning to school in autumn; potential part‑time or year‑round continuation.

Food ethics: We uphold slow‑food ideals—100% natural, locally sourced ingredients. Gina crafts everything from scratch (nut pastes, sweetened condensed milk, no premade bases). Our crew champions zero‑waste and upcycling.

Responsibilities

• Produce gelato and sorbetto from scratch following Gina’s recipes.
• Bake complementary pastries and assist with dessert development.
• Maintain a spotless, organised kitchen and equipment.
• Prep ingredients efficiently, minimising waste through upcycling.
• Participate in taste tests to balance flavours (salt, sweet, acid).
• Collaborate on sourcing, menu ideas, and process improvements.
• Help front‑of‑house with small tasks when needed; we believe in teamwork is a priority over defined roles.
• Arrive a few minutes early to lint-roll clothes, wash hands, tie hair back, put belongings away to be ready to start work at shift time.

Qualifications

• Full-time position: Diploma or equivalent commercial experience in technical pastry, baking, or gelato/ice cream
• Work-term position: Current culinary‑program enrolment
• Required BC FoodSafe certification.
• Committed to impeccable cleanliness, meticulous attention to detail, and precision
• Growth mindset and willing to give and receive feedback.
• Strong communication and collaborative spirit.
• Respect for Local Ingredients: You appreciate the beauty of working with local and natural ingredients, and you’re excited to contribute to our effort to reduce food waste.

What we offer

• Hands‑on mentorship in heritage gelato craft.
• Opportunities to develop and lead new menu items.
• Support for individual “intrapreneur” projects and career growth.
• A close‑knit, positive environment driven by shared goals.

Requirements

• Availability for 25–40 hrs/week, rising to 40 hrs in summer.
• Demonstrate reliability: consistent punctuality, disciplined prep, and follow‑through on tasks.
• Thrive in a busy (and sometimes hot!) kitchen and able to sustain focus even with shifting priorities.

Schedule: We are open 10+ months out of the year (we currently close for Christmas until February), and our hours are based on the season. Summer positions are asked to be available the entire summer season until at least the first week of September (preferably through the end of September, with reduced hours considered as needed for local students) with a potential to continue year-round.

• For students: During our slower season/the school year, we try to accommodate requests for hours around school commitments as best we can and invite you to bring your school work to work with you so you can stay on top of your studies (during slow periods, of course ;)

Wages: We meet or exceed minimum wage requirements; wages are updated each June to meet new provincial requirements.

Advancement: Yup! We prefer to promote and hire from within. We are interested in our staff’s individual goals and want to be a place that provides learning and mentorship however we can. (i.e. successful candidates will have a great desire to learn & grow. :) We believe in doing our best work together while respecting each person’s individual strengths and aspirations. We’re not perfect yet but aim to create a place where we enjoy our work, can contribute meaningfully, and feel supported in a true team-driven environment.

Servers

Servers: Gina’s Gelato was intentionally created as a space to gather into the evening—offering a warm, atmospheric alternative to bars and restaurants. Our hours reflect that vision. Our service begins in the afternoon and extends into the later evening, especially in the summer months. Please keep this in mind when applying, as most shifts begin after 11 a.m., with afternoon and evening availability required.

• Year‑round servers start at $17.40 /hr + tips; reviewed each June for advancement.
• Summer & part‑time servers: $17.40 /hr + tips.
• Hours are up to 40 hours a week; we may hire part time or full-time depending on current needs
• Shifts start at or after 11 a.m. and run into the evening
• Summer servers: minimum commitment from June 1 to September; up to 40 hrs/week without requests for multiple days off (shift swaps with team members is okay)
• Top summer performers receive priority for future year‑round roles and/or are welcomed back for the following season.

Kitchen Team

• Pastry & Gelato Chef (full‑time): $20–23 /hr based on training and experience.
• Culinary Student Intern (Apr 28–Sept 6): $20 /hr; schedule accommodates school; potential part‑time or year‑round continuation.
• High season (May–Sept): 40 hrs/week (early‑morning or late evening gelato work to avoid heat – our AC has a hard time keeping up!)
• Slow season: flexible Wed–Mon hours

If you’ve read through all of this, you’re exactly the detailed, thorough candidate we’re looking for, and we’d like to talk more.

Psst:This is our way of saying that being detailed and thorough is a requirement of our team, so here’s your chance to decide if we’re a good fit!

We combine application and first interview in one online process via Vervoe. Once you click the link below and register, you’ll have four days to submit video, audio, and written responses at your own pace. Please ensure you have a device that can record both video and audio.

Apply below

Server Application
Kitchen Application

You’re welcome to drop in during open hours to chat with our team and see if the vibe fits you.

We review each completed Vervoe application and invite selected candidates to an in‑person interview. Due to volume, we cannot respond to every applicant. If you do not hear from us, the role has been filled or we don’t currently have a position matching your skill set. We keep applications on file for future positions and will contact you if a suitable opportunity arises.

Please do not drop off resumes in person; only applications submitted via the links above will be considered.