"Mille grazie," say Dominic Sachet and Louis Fiorentino. The two undergraduates learned the correct pronunciation of the Italian phrase for "thank you very much" during a seven-day educational adventure through Tuscany.
The William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration students were this year's recipients of the Banfi Research Fellowship. Banfi Vintners, which owns the vineyard estate and winery Castello Banfi in the Brunello region of Italy, funds the meritbased award for students.
During their tour from Milan to Rome, Sachet and Fiorentino visited several Banfi properties to learn more about winery operations and regional ingredients like Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar. This is the fourth year the fellowship has been provided to UNLV students.
Deborah Barrash, a professor in food and beverage management, accompanied the students on the trip. She says Sachet and Fiorentino, students who both work locally in the food and beverage industry, were selected because of their high academic qualifications and their professional accomplishments.
"Dominic and Louis knew what they wanted to learn from this trip," she explains. "They, like many of our students, have a passion for food and wine, and they know that this experience will greatly benefit their careers."
