Patch Tastemaker: Honeysuckle Gelato Founder Jackson Smith

It's not every day that you can enjoy authentic Italian gelato with a Southern twist — but that's exactly what you'll get behind the counter at Honeysuckle Gelato. Jackson Smith, the company's co-founder and gelato maker, works tirelessly to “hit the sweet spot,” with his creations, concocting delectable gelato flavors like cinnamon roll and sea-salted caramel brownie.

Smith launched the frozen treat brand with his close friends Wes Jones and Khatera Ballard, as a food truck in 2010. Since then, it has evolved into a brick-and-mortar shop at Ponce City Market, and its products can also be found in local grocery stores.

Born and raised in the "proud and rowdy" city of Atlanta, Smith often uses his Southern roots as inspiration behind his unique gelato flavors. "For better or worse, [Atlanta] is still largely a blank canvas, and we get to decide what it becomes," says Smith.

Smith typically keeps busy evolving his product and developing new caramels, sauces and pastries, but he still carves out plenty of time to explore Atlanta, whether he's taking meetings at Hattie B’s Hot Chicken or shopping around Buford Highway Farmers Market. Check out all of Smith's must-visit destinations around town:

How long have you lived in Atlanta? Off and on for 37 years. I was born and raised here, then put in two good years at UGA before taking what was supposed to be a year off. I spent some time in China and a year or so in Costa Rica before chasing my high school sweetheart to New York City in 2008. After working in a gelato shop there for a few years, I moved back to Atlanta in 2010 to start Honeysuckle Gelato with my friends and partners Wes Jones and Khatera Ballard.

Note: Smith ended up marrying said high school sweetheart.

What neighborhood do you live in? The no-man’s-land between East Lake and Gresham Park.

What’s your occupation? Gelato maker

Describe Atlanta in a few words: Rowdy and proud

What’s your favorite overall Atlanta restaurant? Desta

Best sushi: Umi

Best Italian food: BoccaLupo

Best dessert: Honeysuckle Gelato — duh!

Best pizza: Varuni Napoli

Best Spaghetti: La Tavola

Best spot for a quick lunch: Nick’s Food To Go

Best food truck: The Blaxican

Best spot for a romantic date: Waffle House

Best glass of wine: Barcelona Ironworks

Best craft beer or brewery: Wrecking Bar

Best Sunday brunch: Venkman’s

Best spot for a power business meeting: Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

Best cup of coffee (or tea!): 8ARM

Best steak: Hal’s "The Steakhouse"

Best craft cocktail: Kimball House

What hotel would you recommend for your out of town guests? Hotel Clermont

Favorite shopping venue or boutique: Buford Highway Farmers Market

Best gym or fitness studio: Snap Fitness Sandy Springs

Favorite charity event or organization: Atlanta Community Food Bank

Favorite cultural event: DragonCon

Favorite cultural institution: Traffic

What’s the best museum or current exhibit in Atlanta? Wren’s Nest

Best historic or iconic Atlanta landmark to see or explore: Trap House

What’s your all-time favorite spot in Atlanta? Ponce City Market represents a lot of things to a lot of people, but to me it is the realization of a dream we had over 8 years ago.

The best aspect of Atlanta is: For better or worse, it’s still largely a blank canvas, and we get to decide what it becomes.

Image Credit: Honeysuckle Gelato