The story of the Boella and Silvola families intertwines in a journey through time and taste, a narrative of culinary traditions passed down from generation to generation.
It all began back in 1885, in the picturesque Corneliano d’Alba, when the Boella family, led by grandfather Giuseppe, opened the first bakery. Here, in the heart of the Piedmont hills, the first panettoni were expertly baked, offering the townspeople a delightful sweet treat to enjoy on weekends. At that time, only classic panettoni were made, adorned with a delicate glaze, which soon became an icon of the local pastry tradition.
In 1939, the Boella family moved to Turin, relocating their bakery to the historic Via Po. Here, under the guidance of Giuseppe and his sons, including the young and enterprising Alessandro, they continued the family tradition.
Alessandro, equipped with a brilliant mind for entrepreneurship, soon recognized the potential for expanding the business, and within a few years, he opened the first facility for the large-scale production of Boella panettone.
His vision and determination significantly contributed to the growth and success of the company in both the national and international markets.
In 1960, the story of the Silvola family began when Valerio and Fede Basso, master pastry chefs, opened their first pastry shop. After a few years, they decided to specialize exclusively in chocolate production, driven by their passion for this delicacy.
The love for chocolate has been passed down from generation to generation, with Grandma Fede playing a crucial role in transmitting this passion to her son Manlio and then to her grandson Stefano, the current owner and master chocolatier of the company. Stefano, who learned to hand-wrap chocolates at just 10 years old, has proudly carried on the family legacy, keeping alive the tradition of crafting high-quality artisanal chocolate.
The company moved from the workshop on Corso Casale in Turin to a new facility located on Lungo Dora Colletta. In this context, the company developed a specialization in the production of baked goods intended for Christmas and Easter holidays, while simultaneously starting exports to European and North American markets.
The dynamics of the company change further with the arrival of Milly, who takes care of administrative management. Her professionalism and expertise contributed to further consolidating the company’s success in the market.
The love for chocolate has been passed down from generation to generation, and Grandma Fede played a fundamental role in transmitting this passion to her son Manlio and then to her grandson Stefano, the current master chocolatier of the company. Stefano, who learned to hand-wrap chocolates at just 10 years old, has proudly carried on the family legacy, keeping alive the tradition of producing high-quality handcrafted chocolate.
Elena, Milly’s daughter, joins the company. Having grown up immersed in the family atmosphere and educated according to the principles and values passed down by her predecessors, she continues to uphold the brand alongside Milly, specializing in the creation of exclusive products and private label services.
The merger between the brands takes place through the union of Elena and Stefano, which led to the founding of Boella & Sorrisi at the current facility located at Via Poliziano 54.
Today - Boella & Sorrisi SRL
Under the guidance of Elena and Stefano, the company maintains a strong tradition of artisanal quality combined with technological innovation. In addition to successfully managing the business, Elena and Stefano are also dedicated to training their children, Marianna and Alessandro, preparing them for the future and instilling in them a love for family tradition and a commitment to excellence.
[Image from left: Milly Boella, Stefano Silvola, Elena Boella]