The Italian Experience • 07.05.2024

CAST’s educational offerings are expanding with the exciting addition of the prestigious Coffee University from Illy Caffe, a leading name in sustainable, high-quality coffee

Last July marked the official announcement of the collaboration between our esteemed institution and illycaffe, a renowned company synonymous with sustainable, high-quality coffee. Headquartered in Trieste, illycaffe initiates its partnership with CAST by providing its esteemed 100% Arabica blend and integrating itself into our educational framework through the expertise of its esteemed Coffee University and instructors. As the company expressed in its press statement regarding the collaboration with CAST, “…this partnership represents a significant stride forward in promoting gastronomic excellence.”

Unveiling the Potential of Coffee

This educational program aims to equip students – baristas, chefs, and pastry chefs – with a comprehensive understanding of coffee.  They’ll delve into its multifaceted potential, exploring coffee not only as a beverage, but also as a key ingredient in both sweet and savoury creations.  Students will gain in-depth knowledge of coffee preparation techniques, sensory characteristics, and pairing possibilities – all to inspire innovative and sustainable dishes and drinks.

A Legacy of Coffee Excellence

illycaffe, renowned worldwide for its exceptional coffee, was founded in Trieste in 1933 by the cosmopolitan Hungarian, Francesco Illy.  Across generations, the Illy family has passionately driven the brand’s global recognition and appreciation. Today, over 8 million cups of illy coffee are enjoyed daily in more than 140 countries, with illy gracing over 100,000 of the world’s finest restaurants and bars.

Today, over 8 million cups of illy coffee are savoured daily, spanning across 140 countries and gracing over 100,000 of the finest restaurants and bars worldwide. In its mission to elevate and disseminate coffee culture, the company established the Coffee University—a beacon of excellence offering comprehensive theoretical and practical training to growers, baristas, and enthusiasts on all aspects of coffee.

To provide further insight into the company’s ethos regarding product, training, and ethical considerations, we had the privilege of interviewing Violante Avogadro di Vigliano, Chief Communication Officer at illycaffe.

“Our core value is quality—a quality that is globally recognized as excellence in the coffee sector, evident in the over 140 countries where we are present. This commitment to quality led us to produce and market a single blend of the highest quality Arabica, ensuring consumers find precisely what they seek wherever the illy brand is present. This unwavering dedication has propelled us to become a true love brand, ranked among the most beloved Italian brands worldwide. This is evidenced by the annual Talk walker survey, where our brand ranks second globally in the Love Brands 2022 ranking and third in the Italian ranking—a testament to our enduring appeal.

Central to our ethos is a commitment to sustainable development. For years, we have strived to maintain a delicate balance between product enhancement and responsibility towards people and the environment. Innovation, coupled with a focus on quality—both in coffee and in life—drives us forward. This commitment is not merely rhetoric but is substantiated by concrete actions, intrinsic to our entrepreneurial model and market positioning.

illycaffe sources green coffee directly from the finest Arabica producers through sustainable partnerships based on development principles. Collaborating with the best growers globally, we foster long-term relationships, transferring knowledge and technology while ensuring remuneration surpasses market prices. It is through this modus operandi that we became the first company to receive the DNV Responsible Supply Chain certification in 2011, acknowledging the sustainability of our company structure and processes, emphasizing quality and value creation.

We place great importance on preserving the integrity of our coffee, hence the introduction of our signature aluminium jar packaging, which has become an integral part of our brand’s success.

The Expertise of Coffee University

“As you can see, we possess the expertise to develop exceptional training programs in the field of coffee, catering to all levels, from professionals like baristas, pastry chefs, and chefs, to enthusiasts.  This expertise is the foundation on which our Coffee University thrives,” Ms. Avogadro said.

Established in 1999, the Coffee University draws upon Illy Caffe’s extensive history and passion for coffee. It fosters a space for knowledge sharing, aiming to promote and elevate coffee culture globally.  With locations in Trieste and around the world, the Coffee University serves as an international hub.  Experts from diverse fields – science, economics, and culture – convene here to collaborate, generate innovative ideas, and cultivate a vibrant community cantered around the power of a single cup.

Our educational and outreach endeavours are designed to contribute to the continual growth and improvement of coffee production, the well-being of those who cultivate and consume it, and the preservation of the environment across the entire supply chain, from tropical fields to urban centers. It is this specialized vision and culture that we seek to impart through our collaboration with CAST.

We view CAST Alimenti as a paragon of excellence, sharing many facets of our identity and philosophy: competence, integrity, professionalism, and the international allure of Made in Italy. In synergy with the school’s educational mission, we are integrating activities that focus on coffee culture. Coffee has a wealth of stories and opportunities to offer, and we believe that our expertise, combined with CAST Alimenti’s educational prowess, presents exciting prospects for professional growth.”