A modern Mediterranean self-serve frozen yogurt and acai bar has opened in the booming Bokarina Beach precinct.
Tutto Freddo is owned by third-generation Sunshine Coaster Kirryn O’Neill and her Melbourne-born Italian husband Domenic Cannizzaro.
Ms O’Neill, 52, grew up in Buderim and spent 10 years working in the hospitality industry before moving to Melbourne in 1999 to study graphic design.
“I’ve been working professionally in the design industry for the past 20-plus years,” she said.
Domenic, 56, is a first-generation Australian whose parents migrated from Calabria in the late 1950s. He spent more than 20 years in the fitness industry, competing internationally with the International Natural Bodybuilding Association and owning a contest preparation gym, before moving into construction on tower cranes in Melbourne’s CBD.
The couple relocated to the Sunshine Coast in January.
“I wanted to be back with my family, and we both wanted to start something that reflected our backgrounds and lifestyle here. It really is the best place in Australia,” Ms O’Neill said.
The idea for Tutto Freddo arrived with them when they moved north.
“The sub-tropical climate is perfect for a frozen product all year round, and we’ve always loved the self-serve idea because it’s fun, fresh and completely customisable,” she said.
“The Sunshine Coast has changed so much over the last 20 years, and when we discovered the ‘new’ Bokarina it just felt right. The beach, the park and the wide boulevard created the perfect setting for Tutto Freddo.”
Flavours on offer so far include mango estivo (summer mango), caramello salato (salted caramel), fragola (strawberry) and classico (classic vanilla), with crostoli (flaky Sicilian pastry) and Dubai chocolate sauce among the toppings.
“Tutto Freddo means ‘all cold’ in Italian, and everything we offer is just that – almost everything is frozen or chilled. There’s nothing hot in this shop,” Ms O’Neill said.
“Our yogurts and flavours are all strictly Italian, the yogurts are tangy and full of flavour, the vegan coconut creme is fresh and bright, and the açaí is rich and earthy. We’ve just launched a new vegan peach yogurt which is completely dairy free.”
Since opening, the response from Bokarina locals has been overwhelmingly positive.
“The Boka locals have been a great support to the business,” she said.
“The other shop owners and their staff have been so welcoming and supportive. We can’t wait for the Christmas holidays on the Coast, and we think Boka is going to be really popular.”
