Faces and Portraits

Coffee Culture: A Bean of Knowledge for the Future of Italian Coffee

Faces and Portraits

Coffee Culture: A Bean of Knowledge for the Future of Italian Coffee

This is a guest article written by Elena Gramatica from NKG Bero Italia. (click to learn more about her)

NAME
Elena Gramatica

COMPANY
NKG Bero Italia

POSITION
Junior CSR Specialist

DATE OF BIRTH
August 9

DATE OF FIRST DAY AT NKG
August 16, 2023

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT WORKING AT NKG?
What I enjoy most is the international nature of this company—the enriching exchange of cultures made possible through interactions with colleagues from around the world.

Interview with Deborah Righeschi, Project Manager of Bero Italia’s Cultural Initiative

Interview with Deborah Righeschi, Project Manager of NKG Bero Italia’s Cultural Initiative

Elena Gramatica: Deborah, why was Coffee Culture created and what is the goal you set for yourselves?

Deborah Righeschi: The idea behind Coffee Culture came from our desire to further position NKG Bero Italia as a key reference point in the coffee world—not just commercially, but also culturally and educationally. Our sector is constantly evolving, and we felt a strong need to respond to the growing demand for professionalization in the Italian market. There was a lack of space where coffee could not only be explained but truly experienced, studied, and understood in depth. That’s where the idea of an open, educational center came from.

E.G.: How much did your experience contribute to designing this space?

D.R.: Immensely. This project allowed me to put years of hands-on experience to good use, along with a long-standing passion for education. Valuing skills is a fundamental part of our approach: my background helped shape a space that’s inclusive, authoritative, and warm welcoming to both novice baristas and specialty coffee professionals.

E.G.: You mention specialty coffee: does Coffee Culture help strengthen its credibility?

D.R.: Absolutely. There’s still a lot of confusion surrounding specialty coffee in Italy. Our center aims to increase its credibility through meaningful content, real-life experiences, and direct dialogue—showing that behind every cup there’s study, ethics, sustainability, and a pursuit of quality.

E.G.: What tangible contribution does Coffee Culture make to spreading coffee knowledge?

D.R.: We see Coffee Culture as a treasure chest of knowledge. It’s no coincidence our logo depicts an open coffee bean, as if it contained a treasure: knowledge. We aim to be a place of gathering, learning, and inspiration for anyone wanting to deepen their understanding of coffee—from the basics to more technical and innovative topics.

E.G.: The location is striking—how did you choose it?

D.R.: It felt natural to choose an iconic square in Genoa, a city with a long commercial and port-related tradition tied to coffee. Its central location makes us accessible and visible and embeds us in the cultural fabric of the city.

E.G.: Was the entire team involved in creating the project?

D.R.: Yes, and that was one of the best parts! Everyone at NKG Bero Italia contributed to the setup. To celebrate the achievement, we organized a private inauguration aperitif just for us—an intimate moment of shared pride before the official opening.

E.G.: There was also an institutional presence at the launch, right?

D.R.: That’s right. We were proud to have the Vice President of the Liguria Region with us, who acknowledged the importance of a project like this—not only for the sector but also for the region itself.

E.G.: The heart of Coffee Culture is the workshops. What can visitors expect?

D.R.: Hands-on workshops, themed sessions, guided tastings—we focus on active, engaging training. We want people to leave not just with new information, but with a new perspective on coffee.

“Coffee Culture is not just a place—it’s an idea: that from a single bean can grow knowledge, and from that knowledge, a new way of living coffee.”

Deborah Righeschi

Looking to the Future

E.G.: What projects are planned for the coming months?

D.R.: Many! We’re working on partnerships with schools and universities to bring coffee into educational settings, both as a subject of study and as a tool for learning. For the International Coffee Day, we’re planning public events focusing on sustainability, the supply chain, and innovation.

E.G.: Is there a focus on internal training as well?

D.R.: Absolutely. We want all NKG Bero Italia colleagues to continue growing with us, which is why we’re planning ongoing training and development paths.

E.G.: Will you collaborate with other industry players?

D.R.: Certainly. We’re planning days dedicated to associations in the sector, including those related to the world of sommeliers and other similar fields. The goal is to create synergies, dialogue, and cross-pollination. Coffee is culture, and culture is always collective.

Profile: Deborah Righeschi

COMPANY
NKG Bero Italia

POSITION/DEPARTMENT
Quality Responsible / Specialty Trader

DATE OF BIRTH
March 30

DATE OF FIRST DAY AT NKG
April 4, 2016

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT WORKING AT NKG?
What I’m most passionate about in my work is being able to connect different worlds: producers in origin countries with roasters or final consumers. I’m truly excited to contribute to the valorization of coffee as a high-quality agricultural product, by telling its story and supporting a more conscious supply chain, promoting a deeper coffee culture and creating moments of learning and exchange that enrich everyone involved.

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Coffee Plaza
Am Sandtorpark 4
20457 Hamburg • Germany