Culinary students from Northwestern Michigan College’s Great Lakes Culinary Institute (GLCI) recently completed an immersive international course “Piedmontese Heritage: Mountain Valley and the Langhe” (May 25 – June 2), in Alba, Italy, marking the inaugural partnership between GLCI and Alba Accademia Alberghiera. Participants received their certificates from Lucia Vignolo, Councilor of the Municipality of Alba, Fulvio Baratella, President of Apro Formazione, and the Director of Apro Formazione, Antonio Bosio.

Northwestern Michigan College boasts an annual student body of around 1500 students, and the culinary institute stands out for its specialized Culinary Maritime Certificate, offered with the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, which trains students for high-stakes commercial ship galleys.

Led by Alba Accademia Alberghiera Chef Instructor Paolo Taricco and Program Coordinator Julianne Clark, the 12-student American delegation—accompanied by three instructors and the GLCI Director—engaged in hands-on kitchen labs and didactic visits with local agricultural experts, producers, and Michelin-starred chefs.

The comprehensive itinerary featured high-profile culinary and agricultural experiences across the Langhe, including a Michelin-starred lunch at Borgo Sant’Anna by Chef Pasquale Laera, a wine tasting at the historic Ettore Germano winery, a cheese tasting with Renato Maunero of L’Cravé Robiola Cherasco, and a private tour of the three-Michelin-starred Piazza Duomo herb garden with master gardener Andrea Mastropietro.

A full-day excursion into the Varaita Valley highlighted mountain biodiversity, supported by local tourism officials, council members, and Sampeyre Mayor Roberto Dadone. This visit featured a traditional cooking class with Nonna Maria Civalleri, an organic honey presentation by Ariele Muzzarelli (Apes Apicoltura), a cattle farm tour with Flavio Rebuffatti, a viticulture walk in the vineyards by Mario Deltetto, and a wild herb foraging session with Chef Paolo Meneguz.

"Alba Accademia Alberghiera has become an internationally recognized point of reference for culinary and tourism training," stated Antonio Bosio, Director of Apro Formazione. "The Great Lakes Culinary Institute of Northwestern Michigan College chose Alba Accademia Alberghiera for an intensive course on Piedmontese cuisine, and at the end of June, we will welcome students from Austin Community College in Texas for the third consecutive year. This stands as a testament to the quality of our educational programs and the ability to build international relationships."

Alba Accademia Alberghiera is the culinary and tourism division of Apro Formazione. In May 2026, Apro Formazione was inducted by UNESCO into its global network of International Centres for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (UNEVOC/TVET) —a distinction held by only 65 institutes worldwide, with just 2 located in Italy, including Apro.

The complete photo gallery is available at this link:  https://shorturl.at/a0Nxo