Dolci Paradiso offers delicious treats

Hema and Pritesh Patel have always enjoyed cooking. Hema, a nurse, and Pritesh, an optometrist, enjoy spending their hours outside of work bonding with their family in the kitchen. Cooking is their favorite way to spend time with their in-laws and their three-year-old daughter. This passion for food and family drove the Patels to open their first bakery and gelato shop, Dolci Paradiso, in February of 2019.

Hema and Pritesh felt there was an absence of family-owned, local dessert shops here in the Edmond and OKC metro area. After enjoying some locally made gelato on a trip to California, Hema knew this was exactly what she wanted to offer in her community. The store first offered gelato, but not long after, with some urging from her husband, they added French-inspired bakery goods to their product line. Hema is proud that they offer something for everyone in the family, from baked goods, to gelato, to coffee. They even offer vegan and gluten-free treats, as well as keto options. Everyone in the family can find a delicious treat in one location, regardless of age or preference. Focused on premium ingredients free of preservatives, food coloring, and dye, Hema is confident customers won’t be disappointed in the quality of these sweet treats.

As the Patels were considering expanding to a second location, they were approached by Chris Henderson, owner of the innovative Park 17 development in Edmond. Henderson wanted a dessert shop, Hema wanted a second location. After a few meetings, she knew she had found her new home in Edmond.

Hema and Pritesh were passionate about designing and creating their own space in Park 17. They spent months outside of their day jobs preparing for an opening set initially for the summer of 2020. However, the pandemic delayed their plans. Dolci Paradiso’s Edmond location opened in September, and now Hema spends her time preparing gelato for both locations.

“All of our items are made from scratch,” said Hema. “I spend six hours of prep work creating my gelato. I measure all of the ingredients individually for each flavor.” Dolci Paradiso offers 12 flavors of gelato each month. Six of the flavors are standard, and the six other flavors change seasonally. Hema states some of her best-sellers are salted caramel, lemon, and cookies and cream. Samples are always available. Hema said the smiles on her customers’ faces when they taste her gelato makes her day.

The Patels are also lucky to have experienced bakers, Brittany Dees and Tyler Fortune, on staff. They create their gorgeous and delicious French-inspired desserts. Both bakers have worked for them for over a year and a half. The mini-cake and cupcake flavors vary, but the classics like Tiramisu, Crème Brule, and cheesecake are always available and never disappoint.

Family time is precious, and a visit to Dolci Paradiso is both an experience and a treat. The location will eventually offer games for families to enjoy as well. Hema is extremely grateful and appreciative of the support from the Edmond community thus far. “I hope you will visit us,” she said. “We would love for you to bring your family and give us the opportunity to serve you.”

Dolci Paradiso-Artisan Gelato and Pastry Shop is located at 17 E. 5th Street in Edmond. You can also visit their Facebook Page and Instagram account.