George Brown College's (GBC) Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts (CHCA) celebrated a new milestone on May 29, 2025, with the official launch of its four-year partnership with Lavazza.
This strategic collaboration, which began with an exciting student baking competition, underscores the College's commitment to fostering dynamic industry partnerships that provide students with relevant, real-world learning experiences essential for success in today's competitive landscape.
Enhancing academic excellence through industry leadership
The partnership between GBC and the renowned Italian coffee company represents another dynamic opportunity in experiential learning for students at one of Canada's premier culinary and hospitality institutions. Through this collaboration, students gain direct access to industry-leading expertise and cutting-edge technology, bridging academic theory and professional practice.
"This partnership enhances our students' learning experiences by connecting academic knowledge with industry expertise," said Rudi Fischbacher, Dean of the Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts. "Lavazza's commitment to quality and innovation aligns perfectly with our goal of preparing students to lead in a rapidly evolving industry."
State-of-the-art learning infrastructure
Central to this partnership is the establishment of the Lavazza Beverage Simulation Lab. This state-of-the-art facility will provide students with comprehensive training on industry-leading coffee equipment. This specialized learning environment will serve not only current full-time students but also support GBC's Continuing Education programs through specialized workshops, extending the partnership's impact throughout the broader hospitality community.
Students at The Chefs' House will benefit from hands-on experience with Lavazza's professional-grade equipment, ensuring they graduate with practical skills that are immediately applicable in their future careers. This real-world training component represents the type of industry-relevant education that sets George Brown College graduates apart in this dynamic marketplace.
Official partnership launch and student competition showcase
GBC officially launched this partnership with a celebration that put student talent centre stage. The launch event featured an exciting baking competition designed to highlight the creative capabilities of Chef School students while demonstrating the practical applications of this new industry collaboration.
Six talented students participated in the inaugural competition, each developing and presenting original pastry recipes that incorporated Lavazza Dolcevita Classico. More than just a celebratory event, it provided students with immediate hands-on experience working with premium industry ingredients while showcasing their culinary innovation and technical skills.
Recognizing the exceptional quality of all submissions, every finalist received a cash prize applied directly toward their tuition costs, highlighting the commitment of both institutions to supporting student success. Crepamisu, the winning recipe, was created by Culinary Management student Teo Rapatout and showcases the exceptional calibre of talent this partnership will continue to cultivate and support.
"This collaboration represents a shared commitment to excellence and innovation, values that are at the core of Lavazza's 130-year heritage," said Andrea Chiaramello, SVP North America Retail Sales at Lavazza. "By bringing Lavazza's coffee expertise to students at The Chefs' House and fostering a passion for authentic Italian coffee experiences, we are empowering students with the skills and knowledge to excel in their careers and shape the future of the hospitality industry."
Commitment to student success
This partnership reinforces George Brown College's dedication to providing students with meaningful connections to industry leaders who share the institution's values of excellence and innovation. Through initiatives like the Lavazza Scholarship and comprehensive hands-on training opportunities, students will be equipped with both the technical skills and industry knowledge necessary to thrive in their chosen careers.
