Interview w/ Adam D’Sylva of Boca Gelato, Coda & Tonka

Adam D’Sylva has established an enviable reputation as one of Australia’s most prominent chefs. Co-owner and Executive Chef of  award-winning restaurants Tonka and Coda, Adam’s Indian-Italian heritage has given him a foundation in contrasting cuisines. With this and his formal training, he has become one of the best and most innovative chefs in Melbourne.  In 2008, Adam won The Age Good Food Guide’s Young Chef of the Year and as part of his award travelled to New York to work with Thomas Keller at Per Se. Adam was also twice awarded the Lexus Young Chef of the Year award for Victoria. Coda and Tonka were both awarded and have maintained, One Chef’s Hat in The Age Good Food Guide since opening.

We were thrilled when Round Studio and Adam D’Sylva approached us to furnish their latest project, BOCA Gelato. Round Studio, an award-winning creative agency, has had a long working relationship with Adam. Together, they developed the concept, and brand and designed the space for BOCA Gelato. BOCA’s design concept started from the motion of scooping ice cream. From the curve details, contouring and colours – ice cream and the nostalgia that surrounds it plays a big role in the overall design intent.

BOCA gelato has a unique offering of classic Italian flavours alongside unexpected flavours. At BOCA we like to think of our creations as the perfect balance of the expectation you crave and the surprise you didn’t know you wanted.

We sat down with Adam to find out more about his childhood, background and his plans for BOCA.

We recently collaborated on your latest venue, BOCA Gelato designed by Round Studio featuring our Didier Bombala chairs, stools and custom tables. What is the most important thing you look for when choosing furniture for your venues?

I look for comfort and design, they both need to look right and feel right. I want people to feel both. Price also comes into it when working on a budget.

Are there any plans to expand BOCA? (We want that coconut sorbet widely available please!!!)

There are plans to take over the gelato world and expand to at least 5 stores around Melbourne.

What are you most looking forward to once life goes back to ‘normality’?

Dining out and going on a holiday. I have had a lot cancelled since the pandemic. Especially the food and wine festivals I was supposed to be involved in.

The first place you will visit post-pandemic? 

In Australia, probably Port Douglas.

International, Singapore with the family or Italy with the wife. 

What is your favourite piece of furniture?

Our 10 seater kitchen table, made of American oak ...

It's where all the meals are shared and is the centrepiece of my kitchen.