(Image: T&A)
An ice cream firm has opened a new cafe in memory of two brothers with the help of a local celebrity.
Bad Boy Chiller Crew member Gareth Kelly has supported Rossi’s Deli & Desserts on Listerhills Road in Bradford.
The business is owned by the Khan family who has served the Bradford community for more than 40 years through their fleet of more than 20 Rossi's ice cream vans.
'Ice cream has always been more than just a business to us'
Hassan Khan, owner and manager of Rossi’s, said: "Ice cream has always been more than just a business to us.
It's all very pink! (Image: T&A)
"It has been our livelihood, our passion and a huge part of our family’s identity."
The business was founded by Mr Khan's father Shahnahwaz Khan, who previously worked in the mills in Bradford before starting the Rossi’s ice cream empire.
He still plays a bit part in the café and ice cream business.
From left to right: Shahnahwaz Khan, Hassan Khan, Gareth Kelly and Haroon Hamid. (Image: T&A)
'For my 2 late brothers'
"However, the story behind our new shop goes much deeper than simply opening another business," Mr Khan said.
He told the T&A how his parents had lost two of their three sons.
Mr Khan added: "We lost my two brothers, Sarfraz Nawas Khan at 35, and Muhammad Tahir Khan at 21.
"Sarfraz’s biggest dream was to open a shop of our own.
"It wasn’t meant to be for my brothers.
"Both of them were really passionate about serving the public and making sure everyone had a smile on their faces."
So many choices... (Image: T&A)
Mr Khan said that Sarfraz and Muhammad had always wanted to take their family’s ice cream business further.
He added: "Sadly, they never got the opportunity to see that dream become a reality.
"It isn’t just another shop to us.
"It represents our sons, their dreams and a legacy that we are determined to keep alive."
Fancy a date here? (Image: T&A)
Turning a dream into reality
The family has spent the past year designing and building the café, pouring their "hearts, souls and savings" into the project.
Will you be trying it? (Image: T&A)
The menu features freshly prepared paninis, smash burgers, steaks, and a variety of hot food, alongside their signature ice cream - made in-house and based on decades of experience in the trade.
Gareth Kelly used to work for Rossi's and is still a big fan of a Whippy cone! (Image: T&A)
Gareth Kelly is a fan
Kelly has known the family for years.
Mr Khan said: "We have known Gareth since he was just 12 years old, and seeing him return to support our new business means the world to us."
He explained that Mr Kelly used to work in the ice-cream vans and was a good friend of Sarfraz’s.
Look at that interior! (Image: T&A)
'It’s like Willy Wonka’s factory'
Mr Khan reckons the café is unlike anything else in the area.
It's very eye-catching! (Image: T&A)
Mr Khan said: "There’s no shop life this, it’s got an American-diner vibe, it’s like Willy Wonka’s factory."
Their best seller is a Whippy mix milkshake which Mr Khan claims Sarfraz invented.
Mr Khan said: "He taught other people in the factory how to do it."
The full menu is available at rossisbradford.com or on social media chanels.