Trieste, Italy – Italian coffee powerhouse illycaffè recently announced the distinguished panel of judges for the prestigious Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award 2024. This celebrated event, set to take place in New York City on November 12, will showcase the top coffee producers from across the globe, highlighting their exceptional beans from the 2023/2024 harvest season.
This year’s competition features coffee growers from nine different nations, including Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Nicaragua, and Rwanda, with each country represented by three producers. These finalists were painstakingly selected by illycaffè’s quality laboratories, which used strict criteria focusing on both the quality and sustainability of the coffee.
The jury for the Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award 2024 is a blend of culinary giants and coffee experts. Among them is Massimo Bottura, the celebrated Chef Patron of Osteria Francescana and Casa Maria Luigia, and the Founder of Food for Soul, which combats food waste and social isolation. The panel also includes Viki Geunes, a three-Michelin-starred Chef and Owner of Zilte in Antwerp, and Felipe Rodrigues, Head Chef of the Rosewood Complex in São Paulo, known as one of South America’s top chefs.
Adding to the culinary experts are three professional coffee tasters: Vanuśia Nogueira, Executive Director of the International Coffee Organization; Felipe Isaza, an Arabica Q Grader and Coffee Quality Institute board member; and Dessalegn Oljirra Gemeda, an Ethiopian coffee consultant and Q Grader with experience at the Ethiopian Coffee & Tea Authority, Ethiopian Coffee Exchange, and Oxfam.
The jury is complemented by three seasoned journalists who bring a wide array of expertise to the table. Vanessa Zocchetti, Editor-in-Chief of Madame Figaro’s lifestyle section, specializes in gastronomy and design. Sebastian Späth, leading Germany’s foremost food and lifestyle magazine Falstaff, and Josh Condon, Editor-in-Chief of the luxury-focused Robb Report, complete the panel.
This eclectic mix of judges from culinary, technical, and journalistic backgrounds is set to thoroughly assess the subtle complexities of the finest coffees from around the world to determine the “Best of the Best.”
In an exciting twist, coffee lovers worldwide will also have a voice in the competition. illycaffè will host a series of blind tastings at their flagship stores globally, where consumers can sample and vote for their favorite among the nine finalist coffees. The coffee receiving the highest number of votes will be honored with the Coffee Lovers’ Choice award.
The Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award, named after illycaffe’s visionary leader, continues to celebrate and promote the high standards of quality coffee production on an international stage, while also emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices in the coffee industry. This event not only highlights the best in coffee but also fosters a deeper appreciation for coffee culture and its substantial global community.
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