Italian Students Hear Sweet Presentation from Ferrero Candy Maker

Students in Level 3 and AP Italian classes had visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads last week, but not just because of Christmas. Instead, they sat in on a presentation from a vice president with Ferrero, one of the world’s largest confectionary companies.

Dr. Laurent Cremona, head of the newly opened Ferrero North America Innovation Center, spoke to students less than three months after opening the 45,000 square foot Innovation Center in the top two floors of the historic Marshall Field and Company Building.

“The presentation was wonderful, beyond my expectations,” said Signora Mirella Rullo, chair of the Modern World Languages Department and Italian teacher.

In fact, it went longer than planned because students had so many questions, Signora Rullo said. Here is a sampling of their takeaways: 

It was in late September that Dr. Cremona was on hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Innovation Center, with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and other company officials. The center is intended to foster creativity and collaboration in order to drive the company’s lines of confections, cookies and new products.

The presentation at Saint Viator was part of PMI Day, or National Day of Small and Medium-Sized Italian Companies in the U. S., organized by the Italian Consulate in Chicago.

Dr. Cremona’s talk was presented in English and Italian with materials, videos and slides. In it, he described everything from the company’s humble roots in Italy, to the cultural aspects of developing candy worldwide, and of course pointing to the company’s 35 iconic brands sold in 170 countries. Some of the more iconic ones include Keebler, Famous Amos, Mother's, Fannie May and Nutella, to name just a few.

Saint Viator was only the second school to draw a visit from the company, in large part because of its strong Italian program.

The presentation was arranged by Marina Lenza, Director of the Education Office at the Italian Consulate in Chicago. Last spring, Lenza encouraged Signora Rullo to apply for a grant from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, which the school received in late October.

Of course, what R & D presentation would be complete without a taste test? Sure enough, Dr. Cremona distributed samples of one of the company’s popular treats, the Nutella B-ready, which is a crispy wafer in the form of a mini-baguette, filled with Nutella.