The Carpigiani
Gelato University in Bologna is doing its part to promote Italian gelato around
the world: it is offering scholarships to foreigners who enroll in Gelato Pioneers,
a program that teaches aspiring chefs how to make gelato-and money, too.
At the end of the four-week course, the 10 most promising students will
be reimbursed their course fees and be offered a week of hands-on experience
working in a gelato shop. They will also receive business mentoring and
discounts on machinery.
Established in 2003, the university is part of the Carpigiani Group,
which produces around 70 percent of the world’s ice cream machines.
Carpigiani’s managing director, Andrea Cocchi, said the project was originally
limited to Italian chefs, but the company wanted to expand the reach of one of
Italy’s favorite foods.
The new Gelato Pioneers program will launch in 2012 with beginner to
advanced courses in 10 languages. The course will give foreigners the chance
bring the artisanal gelato culture back home with them and help them develop a
start-up model.
For more information, see http://www.gelatouniversity.com.
