A new website centered around the trade show called FuoriHost makes it easy to find out all the coffee shop happenings during that week.
BY KATRINA YENTCH
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Cover photo courtesy of Ashley Wong
This month, HOST Milano, the renowned Italian trade show for all things hospitality-focused, is taking on the daunting yet epic honor of hosting the rescheduled World Barista, World Brewers Cup, and World Cup Tasters Championships during its week-long run on October 22-26.
For Milan-based coffee shops that took a hard hit during the pandemic, this is a more crucial time than ever to savor the increased traffic coming into the city. In an effort to boost morale and drive community success around HOST, 1st Crack co-author and Italy-based coffee professional Omri Almagor is leading an initiative to support the fellow Milan coffee community via FuoriHost.
What Is FuoriHost?
FuoriHost is a website and “grassroots project“ that makes it easier than ever for HOST attendees (and Milan tourists in general) to visit the most prime coffee shops in the city. Designed by Ashley Wong and curated by Omri and Radu Obreja, the platform will utilize social media, blog content, and ad placement to bring folks to the featured cafés. Those cafés will also host special events and deals to incentivize visitors. Although the website is centered around HOST Milano, the intention is to continue to grow it and include a comprehensive list of the best dining and hospitality in the city.
When asked what inspired Omri to launch this project, he answered, “The idea to create a city-wide activity was somewhat a response to the hit the local Milanese specialty-coffee community took during the COVID-19 pandemic. I wanted to bring attention to what we have to offer to the people coming into the city for the trade show.“
Helping Small Business Thrive
One major note that Omri emphasizes is that FuoriHost is here to help out small businesses. “FuoriHost is for the little guy,“ he says. “We encourage and facilitate collaborations between our locations and businesses that find HOST too costly and big for their needs.“ For this reason, expect to find plenty of info on trade show-style activities going on that will feature participating businesses. For example, Omri’s own Del Creatives will be hosting a coffee cupping with Algrano, and using Bentwood grinders for it.
Milan is a city that both Radu and Omri feel especially fond toward. “In a way, both Radu and I immigrated to Milan to be a part of Italy’s coffee industry,“ Omri says. “Radu has more than 10 years of experience brewing in some of the city’s best cafés. I’ve spent some time working for nearby espresso machine companies and in 2020 founded Del Creatives in the city. We’re both enjoying the local coffee scene, (and) would like to see it flourish and create more opportunities for everyone.“
You Can Be a Part of FuoriHost, Too!
FuoriHost is ready and excited to bring more companies on board. If you are interested in hosting an event with the team or featuring your products, you can reach them via email. This opportunity is not limited to Milan-based businesses.
