Saturday, January 26, 2008 — This year’s SIGEP confectionery fair in Rimini saw two University of Gastronomic Sciences students walk away with awards for the Essse Caffè “Crea il tuo DolcEspresso” competition in which participants vied to design coffee-based sweets. The contest was open to both industry insiders as well as under-thirty-fives passionate about coffee.
Chantelle Packer, an Australian first-year student won first prize and a €1000 scholarship for her “Bruschettine di Tiramisù,” bite-size croissants with a coffee gelatin. Her twist on the traditionally savory Italian appetizer of bruschetta made the recipe a hit with judges.
Special mention and a scholarship of €250 went to Janna Kühne, a German second-year. Well-suited for cafÈ-setting consumption, her single-serve entry was for coffee-glazed muffins with a pleasingly intense amaretto (almond) filling.
On hand to grant the prizes were Giovanni Pina, president of the Accademia Maestri Pasticceri Italiani (The Italian Academy of Master Confectioners) and Barbara Chiassai of Essse Caffè.
Click here for the Essse Caffè awards ceremony photograph and press release.