About the family

Perhaps you've heard the name Minghella before - and not in connection with Ice Cream. Maybe you're wondering why it sounds familiar.

Yes, that's right: it's that Minghella. Our fabulous melt-in-the-mouth masterpieces come to you from the same partnership that brought you Anthony Minghella, the celebrated film director, writer and producer, who directed The English Patient, to such Oscar-winning acclaim, as well as other fabulous films like Truly Madly Deeply, The Talented Mr Ripley, Cold Mountain and Breaking & Entering.

We've all had some fun as a result. Both Edward and Gloria have had 'cameo' roles in Anthony's films (to the affectionate delight of local audiences!) and the whole family has enjoyed visiting Anthony on set, attending glittering galas and premiers, and generally enjoying the occasional glimpse of life in the film industry before returning to earth with a bump. Young Ben Minghella-Giddens is particularly proud of his cameo appearance in Breaking & Entering.

Perhaps a little less in the public eye, but equally talented, are Anthony's younger brother, Dominic, whose creative energy and writing for television (think his hit-series Doc Martin and Robin Hood) has earned him many fans, and sister, Edana, also a gifted writer of fiction and drama, and now an emerging singer on the jazz circuit. She had a very warm reception at the 2007 Isle of Wight Jazz Festival and again at the 2007 Isle of Wight Festival where she performed on the same day as the Rolling Stones!

Being part of such a talented family brings benefits for our loyal customers, too, who really enjoy the special Ice Creams and Sorbets we create to celebrate important occasions. For example, Oscar Champagne Celebration - was 'born' that way in 1997 (first eaten 'live' on Breakfast Television as photographs of Anthony in LA, proudly displaying his Oscar, were being broadcast all over the world) and Ripley's Downfall - rich caramel pieces in sultry dark chocolate, tempting enough to be anyone's ruin - was made for the London Charity Premiere of The Talented Mr Ripley in March 2000.

Oh yes, and for friends and loyal customers who have known us for ever, here's some news to complete the family picture: Loretta, a highly successful city lawyer, became CEO of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme in 2005. And after many years, big sister Gioia left her teaching career in 2001 to follow in her father's footsteps. She is now running the business - and loving every minute of it. Her father, Edward, naturally attributes all his family's success to liberal quantities of Minghella Ice Cream - not scientifically proven, of course, but we think it's probably true. Obviously.

p.s. Max, Anthony's son, who is a already a much-acclaimed young actor, has just announced his first major studio film. In production later this year, it's called Hippy Hippy Shake, a romantic comedy set in the 60s, and stars, amongst others, Sienna Miller and Cillian Murphy. So exciting. We can't wait!