TURIN, Italy – Erica Rossi is the champion of the fourth edition of Tea Masters Cup Italy in the category of Tea Mixology. The competition took place on Sunday 24th November in Turin during the European Tea Show, organized by Protea Association during Gourmet Food Festival. Erica Rossi prepared a mix called “Tè all’Italiana” (Italian Style Tea) which is made of Darjeeling Indian tea and the excellence of Italian drinks.
The ingredients used by Erica Rossi were gin from Lake Como made up of herbs and flowers found in the meadows and mountainside, Passito wine from Pantelleria island in the South of Italy with sweet notes, special syrup with honey, orange and a hint of milk.
Second position for Marco Fabbri who prepared a tea cocktail based on the character of “The Mad Hatter” from the famous Alice in Wonderland. Erwan Garofano won third place with his cocktail Long Zhi Huo, Dragon’s Fire.
Jury
The Tea Masters Cup Italy jury included both representatives from the tea world and mixology. The president of the jury was Gabriella Lombardi, Tea Sommelier, certified international judge at Tea Masters Cup competition and president of the Protea association, official coordinator of TMC for Italy.
The judges were: Kevin Gascoyne (Camellia Sinensis, Canada), Andrei Ivanov (certified international judge at TMC International, Latvia), Bernardo Ferro (A.B.I. Professional, Italy), Ilias Contreas (Mixology Academy, Italy), Adriano Ronco (Bacardi Martini Group, Italy).
Sponsors and Partners
The event was made possible thanks to the help of the sponsors and partners.
Main sponsor of the event was Vietnam Snow Shan Tea who provided teas for the mystery box for the second improvised tea cocktail with ingredients requested and selected by TMC organizers.
Other sponsors were AICS, Richard (May Food, Russia), Italgrafica, Bacardi Martini Group, Bevande Futuriste and a special mention to our partners A.B.I. Professional (Bartender Association of Italy) and Mixology Academy.
Tea Masters Cup: what is it?
The Tea Masters Cup is a competition between professionals and tea lovers. Its history was born in Russia in 2013 with the aim of recognizing and encouraging the greatest experts of this millenary beverage. But the competition has always had other important ambitions: spread the culture linked to tea, promoting the exchange of ideas and professional development, improving the quality of the product and service but also increasing the prestige of a career in this sector.
From Russia, in just four years, this competition has expanded to many countries around the world, including: Italy, USA, Canada, UK, Russia, Australia, Vietnam, South Korea, Turkey, Poland, Belarus, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Spain, France, Singapore, United Arab Emirates…. just to name a few. The competition may take place in four categories: tea preparation, tea pairing, tea tasting and tea mixology.
The first Masters Cup Italy was organized by the Protea association in 2016 with the “tasting” category. The second edition in 2017 was held at TuttoFood – Milan with Tea Mixology. Given the great success, the same category was revived in the third edition 2018, thanks to the support of the important sponsor Skyway Monte Bianco, Courmayeur Mont Blanc.
Protea Association
Protea – Tea Association Italy – is a non-profit organization, full member of the International Tea Committee (ITC) and partner in Italy of THAC (Tea and Herbal Association of Canada) for training to tea professionals.
The association focuses on tea culture promotion, education, travels in the tea production countries and events. Regarding events, Protea is the organizer of the European Tea Show and national coordinator of the international competition Tea Masters Cup.
Regarding Education, Protea with its Protea Academy is dedicated to increasing awareness and correct information for a good tea to Italian consumers, also, to provide, in partnership with Tea and Herbal Association of Canada, the recognized TAC TEA SOMMELIER® Certification Program in Italian for both tea professionals and consumers. http://www.proteaacademy.org/
European Tea Show
For the first time, the Gourmet Food Festival – Lingotto Fiere Torino – hosted the special European Tea Show, the exclusive event dedicated to the world of tea. From the 21st to the 24th November, Italian and foreign enthusiasts and tea professionals met in Turin to explore the novelties and acquire the tools to deepen the knowledge and business opportunities related to the world of infusions.
Tea is a millenary beverage that lends itself to different interpretations and involves tradition, culture, wellness, sustainability, taste, lifestyle, innovation and business. The European Tea Show, organized exclusively by Protea association, was aimed at tea lovers but also at producers, exporters, importers and distributors.
The centre of attraction was the Academy Area with many educational activities, workshops, and masterclasses, allowing all tea professionals and enthusiasts to experience a unique experience in Italy to deepen their passion for tea.
http://www.proteaacademy.org/european-tea-show-2019/
