Alba Accademia Alberghiera welcomed thirteen culinary and pastry arts students from Austin Community College (ACC) – Texas for the third consecutive year. Accompanied by their department chair, the students spent their time in Alba immersed in a Piedmontese Heritage course. Under the guidance of head chef instructor Paolo Taricco and program coordinator Julianne Clark, they learned the art of petit pastry, laminated dough, and traditional Piedmontese cakes and desserts.

Students worked closely with Luca Soave, a 29-year-old baker and owner of the SOV bakery. He shared his innovative approach to natural baking, developed in part through his experience working with Michelin-starred chef Davide Palluda. His time with the students focused on wild yeast fermentation and perfecting high-quality baked goods.

On the pastry side, 23-year-old Mattia Sabatini, Executive Pastry Chef at the Michelin-starred Locanda del Pilone, demonstrated the world-class techniques that earned him the 2024 World Pastry Championship. The collaboration concluded with a traditional merenda sinoira (a Piedmontese late afternoon snack) at Locanda del Pilone, helmed by Chef Federico Gallo.

This collaborative energy extended into a series of hands-on masterclasses and didactic visits with some of the region's most respected names. The students participated in a specialized chocolate lab  with SELMI, a leader in chocolate machinery, and explored a century of heritage through the traditional hazelnut nougats at the historic torroneria of Sebaste Torrone. Students also explored the Varaita Valley through herbal and botanical education with Valverbe tisane, as well as a unique lunch at the restored hamlet and farm of Juri Chiotti at Reis - Cibo Libero di Montagna.

"Nurturing young talent has always been one of Apro’s core missions. From Don Gianolio’s founding vision to our current international community, we take pride in being both the starting point and the crossroads for the Langhe's youth,” stated Antonio Bosio, General Director of Apro Formazione.  

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.