Valerio Vitiello is the winner of the second edition of Tea Masters Cup Italy focused on Tea Mixology. The event took place on Thursday, the 11th of May, inside the prestigious TUTTOFOOD Exhibition in Milan, which also saw Barack Obama as main speaker. Angelo Pinelli, barman from Rome, classified in second position and the bronze medal went to Alessio Simonini, bartender and sake sommelier in Milan.
Valerio Vitiello won with a cocktail based on Earl Grey tea called “The Way of DrinkTea”. “I did not expect to win — commented — I’ve never been out of Europe. World Tea Masters Cup will be an excellent opportunity for me”.
Valerio, the new Italian “Teatender” aged 29 years old, was born in La Maddalena (Sardinia). He works as a bartender at Arnad, in Aosta Valley. He is associated with Abi Professional and he believes that tea “hides great potential”.
The jury of Tea Masters Cup Italia included Mixology Professionals and Tea Sommeliers. The judges were: Ilias Contreas, founder of Mixology Academy (a Professional Bartender Academy); Raffaele Romeo, educator at the Carlo Porta Milano Institute and member of AIFBM (Italian Food & Beverage Manager Association); Umberto Caselli, Honorary Chairman of Abi Professional (Italian Barmen Professionals Association); Nicoletta Tul, a renowned tea expert.
The Head Judge was Gabriella Lombardi, Tea Sommelier and President of Protea Association, official coordinator for Tea Masters Cup Italy.
During Tea Masters Cup Italy 2017, Protea Association organized two special additional events in order to spread tea culture even more effectively. At TUTTOFOOD Exhibition, Protea proposed a rooibos tasting in partnership with the General Consulate of South Africa in Milan.
An introduction to Japanese teas and a tea tasting session were held in Milan city centre in collaboration with the Japan Association in Italy and the General Consulate of Japan in Milan. The initiative was part of the Milan Food City events.
Press-release provided by Protea.
