Ice Cream Van Hire in Essex

Rossi Ice Cream has been providing vintage style Italian ice cream throughout the Essex area for over 80 years. Since 1932, their traditional recipe has won fans at events from weddings to corporate events via both their ice cream van and their pop-up ice cream parlour. With a bespoke menu style and a focus on customer service, Rossi Ice Cream can handle almost any event type or size.

What do you need to know from an organiser in order to provide a comprehensive quote?

For us to provide a comprehensive quote to a customer, ideally we need the event date, a brief explanation of the type of event they are hosting, the estimated number of guests, information on the potential venue and whether it's an indoor or outdoor event.

What advice would you give to a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

Firstly, ask the provider about the product they are offering. I wouldn't want my hair cut by someone who didn't know much about hair so why eat ice cream from someone who knows little about the ice cream they are offering? Ask the provider about their menu and why they are serving what they are serving. After all we are ice cream for events so that should be our main goal.

Please tell us a little bit about how and why you started the business.

Rossi has been producing award-winning ice cream in Essex since 1932; based on a traditional Italian recipe of fresh milk, butter and double cream. Over 80 years later and we now have a long-standing heritage that continues to be loved by generations throughout the county.

Our first ice cream parlour and factory was opened in 1932, at 37 High Street in Southend-on-Sea. The parlour was opened by Massimiliano Agostino (also known as ‘Gus’) with his wife Anna Rossi. As business flourished a further parlour was opened at 1 Marine Parade. This branch began a partnership with Pietro Rossi, a distant cousin of Anna’s who’d moved to Southend. Pietro and his family had relocated from Consett, County Durham, where they owned their own ice cream business.

Unfortunately, the partnership did not last and soon after dissolved in 1938. It was agreed Pietro Rossi and his Wife Luisa would trade along the seafront, while keeping 1 Marine Parade. Thus the Westcliff parlour was opened; later a factory was built on Lucy Road in the late 1960’s.

Please tell us about a booking you've had through Add to Event, how did it go? Would you recommend us to others?

We are yet to secure a booking via Add to Event as we are a recent addition, but are very excited to undertake our first one.