Christina Kambanella is an Apicius Career Programs alum and currently is involved in the Apicius staff as a teaching assistant. We caught up with Christina to chat about her journey to Florence, involvement in the wine industry, and her collaboration with Ganzo.

Christina, tell us about where you’re from and your academic background.
I’m of Greek/Cypriot nationality and studied Marketing and Communication at Athens University of Economics and Business. I worked for 12 years as a strategic and creative copywriter in advertising agencies (national and multinational). After enjoying my creative years in advertising, I decided that I wanted to follow another dream that started to grow: Tuscany and the wine world. So I left everything behind, moved to Firenze and started a new life.

Tell us, from an alum’s perspective, your experience as a wine studies student.
My academic year at the Wine Career Studies at Apicius was truly the best year of my life. I learned all that I needed to learn about wine. I met teachers and students from all over the world, whom I now consider lifelong friends. We shared the same love and passion for wine and we all wanted to make that passion a profession. I explored all of Tuscany with these individuals and tasted exceptional products. We put our knowledge to practice at Ganzo and learned even more through the new experiences there.

What was your next step after the career program?
After my studies I worked for a few months at a winery in Montespertoli. And after my contract ended, I contacted the FUA leadership in order to be guided towards a new path and was offered the opportunity to assist with the wine academics at FUA. To share my knowledge and passion with others was more than I’d ever dreamed of.

What are your current duties at FUA?
Currently, I’m working as an Assistant Manager/Teacher at Ganzo, where I guide the students in their experiential learning activities. I also assist with the Tuscany and its Wines class for career students. I look forward to future academic seasons and to growing in my professional involvement.

Tell us about your longterm goals.
My goal and what I seek to do every day of my professional life here at Apicius is to share with students how wines are a part of the Tuscan-Italian culture, history, and life. I want to share my knowledge with them and help them to understand that wine and food is a cultural combination that makes life more enjoyable. And if you are able to make this your profession, you will probably be a very happy person. I also want to learn from students and improve every day. Fortunately for me, people come to Apicius from all over the world with different cultures and languages, ideas, opinions, dreams, and experiences. Learning never stops, especially when you do what you love most.

Check out Apicius Wine Department educational activities led by faculty and students at Ganzo such as Wine Club (3 Monday seminars per semester) and Wine Corner at the weekly aperitivo. Upcoming dates available at the Ganzo calendar.


        

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