Alma school in Colorno expands internationally to address craft-vocation shortage

Alma, a premier Italian cooking school founded in 2004 under Gualtiero Marchesi, has trained tens of thousands of chefs and hospitality professionals. Recent coverage highlights its goal of expanding internationally to counter a perceived shortage of vocational interest in culinary fields. This explainer summarizes what happened, who is affected, and practical next steps, based on the cited sources.

What is happening

Two Italian outlets describe Alma, La Scuola Internazionale di Cucina Italiana, as actively promoting an international opening strategy to counter what they term a shortage of vocations in the culinary trades. The school, historically led by Gualtiero Marchesi and based at the Colorno royal residence near Parma, has trained thousands of students across roles such as chefs, pastry chefs, sommeliers, and restaurant managers. The reports emphasize Alma’s status as a leading professional training center in hospitality and international cuisine.

Key facts about Alma

Alma was founded in 2004 and, according to the coverage, has trained about 16,261 alumni. Its campus is in the Reggia di Colorno, Parma, surrounded by a park. The school’s mission includes forming chefs and hospitality professionals who represent Italian gastronomic identity worldwide. Coverage calls Alma the most authoritative international center for hospitality and restaurant training.

Who is affected

The direct beneficiaries are Alma’s current and prospective students—people training to become chefs, pastry chefs, bakers, sommeliers, service staff, and managers. Indirectly, Italian culinary culture and employers in hospitality may be influenced by Alma’s expanded international reach, which could affect recruitment, collaboration, and curricula aligned with global hospitality markets.

Practical next steps

For readers seeking concrete actions: (1) If you are considering a culinary career, explore Alma’s programs and any new international partnerships or campuses; (2) If you are an employer, watch for Alma’s outreach or partnerships that may create exchange programs or guest-lecturer opportunities; (3) If you follow culinary education policy or workforce trends, monitor Alma’s announcements for curriculum updates that reflect international standards and cross-border hospitality practices.

Limits and questions

The available reports summarize Alma’s status and aims but do not provide detailed evidence on specific international locations, partnerships, or the scale of expansion. It remains unclear how Alma defines “vocational shortage” or what metrics it uses to gauge demand. Readers may want to seek official Alma statements or program guides for exact figures on admissions, partnerships, and geographic footprint.

Information and responsibility notice: This article is general information based on the cited material available when published. It is not legal, tax, immigration, medical, financial, banking, or investment advice; it does not create a professional-client relationship; and it is not a guarantee of outcome, availability, accuracy, or eligibility. Rules, schedules, prices, and third-party information can change. Confirm material decisions with the relevant authority and an appropriately qualified adviser before acting.