New Barry Callebaut Chocolate Academy Hits Sweet Spot in Milan

28 Jun 2017 --- Barry Callebaut opens its 20th chocolate Academy center in Milan led by winner of 2013’s World Chocolate Masters Davide Comaschi.

Packing out the inauguration recently were Barry Callebaut senior management, sponsors and renowned chefs who gathered in Milan for the big opening. 

Massimo Garavaglia, President EMEA, said in his opening speech: “The future for chocolate is bright, whether you look at it from an innovation perspective, or from a perspective of creativity, or from the perspective of new applications. Therefore, it’s really a good moment for all of us to celebrate.”

Giving a nod to the success of the recent academy openings elsewhere in Moscow, Dubai and Istanbul, Garavaglia said he was confident that the new Milan academy would turn into a success. 

“I am sure that with this we have created something really beautiful for Italy, and even more so for the city of Milan,” he added. 

Led by Davide Comaschi, an Italian chef who has collected a great experience in recent years, this will be the first Barry Callebaut academy to develop recipes for artisanal gelato with real Belgian chocolate.

“I am convinced that this is only the start. Others may view Italy as a mature market and a difficult one, where you don’t need to invest, but I believe that this is the right moment to invest, and I am sure that the academy will be a way to draw a promising future for chocolate in Italy.”

Chocolate Teaching & Training 
The Chocolate Academy center in Milan is a teaching and training center for professionals of all levels and all Barry Callebaut customers who are interested in improving their chocolate skills or learning new techniques, trends and recipes for the Italian market. 

In addition, the academy will act as the global center of excellence for chocolate gelato (artisanal chocolate ice cream) and hosts the first Choco Gelato Lab, dedicated to the Italian craftsmanship.

“Milan has become the Italian capital of chocolate in recent years. It is in fact the city where the Salon du Chocolat, the Italian edition of the prestigious Parisian kermesse, takes place, and the place chosen by an undisputed market leader as the Barry Callebaut group to host its 20th Chocolate Academy center, the first in Italy,” says Davide Comaschi.

In honor of the occasion, Barry Callebaut’s chefs from all over the world met in Milan to prepare a unique 20-story-cake and everyone attending the event was only too happy to help making the sweet delight disappear very quickly.

Centers of Excellence in Chocolate
Including the recently inaugurated center in Milan, Barry Callebaut manages a total of 20 chocolate centers all over the world. 

The academies act as centers of excellence where Barry Callebaut concentrates chocolate knowledge in order to drive innovation and facilitate partnerships with artisans. 

They provide venues for training and customer demonstrations focusing on all aspects of chocolate work and across all trade sectors from hotels, restaurants and catering (Horeca) to pastry, bakery and chocolatiers. 

Last but not least, they offer an excellent forum for customer dialogue through seminars and customer focus groups.