First look: Gigi’s Italian & Specialty Foods

Italy is known for its great food, and the country’s culinary exports are some of the most sought-after in the world because of their quality and freshness. But they haven’t been that easy to find on Vancouver Island—until now.

Gigi’s Italian & Specialty Foods was born from a need for authentic Italian ingredients in Victoria. For young entrepreneur, Genna Purcell, whose family immigrated to Canada from Calabria, Italy, growing up on Vancouver Island made sourcing Italian staples difficult. They constantly had to travel to the mainland to get everything the household needed.

To Genna, growing up Italian meant cooking and sharing meals was at the core of everything the family did. “No matter how busy my mother was, she always had time to prepare a delicious meal for us to enjoy and, without a doubt, we always enjoyed our meals together as a family.” To make these thoughtful meals, high-quality ingredients were always required. With her own family’s experience in mind, Purcell decided to start curating these ingredients to make them easier for locals to grab.

Located at 5118 Cordova Bay Rd. (Entrance of iff Doumac Street), Gigi’s Italian focus is on providing customers with quality imported Italian goods and local specialty items, all while creating a welcoming atmosphere. In addition to the wide selection of meats, cheeses, specialty pasta, gluten-free items, hostess gifts, and knick-knacks for the home, you’ll also find a curated selection of grocery items and treats for both everyday and special occasions, along with traditional seasonal items.

Stop by for an assortment of paninis, baked treats, and various grab-and-go items. Call ahead and Gigi’s Italian will create beautiful charcuterie boards and boxes for you and your loved ones. Need a gift for your friends and family? Gigi’s Italian has you covered—they can put a gift box together for you!

Fridays are for fresh pizza dough; and on Saturdays, you can find fresh focaccia, croissants, baguettes, pizza dough, and more! On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, you’ll find fresh flowers available in-store.

Increase your enjoyment of life through food at Gigi’s Italian & Specialty Foods.

Gigi’s Italian & Specialty Foods@gigisitalianfoods5118 Cordova Bay Rd. (Entrance of iff Doumac Street)