ITALIAN coffee brand Caffe Pascucci has officially announced its foray into Malaysia after opening three Caffe Pascuci outlets in Tropicana City Mall, Menara Hap Seng 2 and Sunway Pyramid, with Outto Dine Sdn Bhd as its master franchisee here.
According to Pascucci, in Italy alone its coffee is used in over 10,000 outlets in the hotels, restaurants and café bar segment, while the company also operates around 500 outlets in more than 20 countries.
“We are extremely delighted to be partnering with Caffe Pascucci on their foray into Malaysia,” said Outto Dine director Wayne Yoon.
“Outto Dine’s focus on bringing select premium F&B brands to Malaysia, and Caffe Pascucci is one such venture.
“In spite of stiff competition, we are confident of the success of Caffe Pascucci and the brand emerging as one of the most respected and loved coffee brands in Malaysia.
“Caffe Pascucci also offers a range of teas and chocolate drinks.
“The menu has authentic Italian choices, from freshly made salads, sandwiches and lasagna, to a wide range of homemade pasta prepared on-site by our chefs,” he added.
Eddy Righi, an award-winning barista trainer for Caffe Pascuci Italy, said the brand’s presence in Malaysia was in line with its mission of spreading Italian espresso culture, and the preparation of good coffee.
“In my opinion, Malaysia is one of the friendliest places in the world, and I have always been impressed by the people’s warm hospitality.
“It is an honour for the Pascucci family and I to be able to share our passion and history with such an inspiring community,” he said.
Righi, who was in Malaysia for the launch of the Caffe Pascucci brand, said, “My first impression of coffee came from my grandmother’s house and her shiny, red baby Gaggia coffee machine.
“I would always ask her for coffee because I loved the smell.
“I drank coffee every day since I was 10.”
While many baristas in Italy are “born under a counter”, opting to work in the coffee shop because it is their family business, coffee was more of a passionate pursuit for him.
He landed his first job as a barista at the age of 14, working in the most popular cafés in his hometown of Modena.
In 2007, a chance meeting with the then Italian Barista Champion Mariano Semino gave Eddy the direction he needed.
He decided that working and competing as a barista was the job for him.
From then on, Righi vowed to perfect the craft of coffee.
He took part in Specialty Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE) training, studying barista skill levels 1 and 2 in Italy, and later travelled to London to sit for the exams.
In 2012, Eddy was the first Italian to have an SCAE Coffee Diploma.
Just a year later, he completed his Authorised SCAE Trainer Course with Nuova Simonelli.
He has competed in numerous barista championships in Italy since 2008, and in 2016 Eddy won first place in the Italian Brewers Cup Championship.
Righi said what differentiated Caffe Pascucci from other coffee outlets in Malaysia was Pascucci’s exclusive blends roasted in a unique process at its ultra-modern roasting plant in Montecerignone.
All coffee used in the blends are selected through a rigorous process, from the plantation stage itself.
“More than just great coffee, Caffe Pascucci represents a coffee lover’s lifestyle. Caffe Pascucci takes coffee seriously; we have been doing so for more than 100 years.
“Coffee is more than just a drink. It is a way of life, and this philosophy shines through in everything that we offer – coffee, cuisine, environment, ambience, and service,” said Righi.
“It has been satisfying the toughest of coffee customers since the 1880s. Most importantly, Caffe Pascucci is about value-to-the-table, as it provides product and service at standards above its price point,” he concluded.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
