Latest News
Celebrating the grand opening of the new full-service illycaffè are (from left) Gerry Savaria of Paradies Lagardère, Barry Sheldon president of illycaffè North America, and Scott Norris vice-president of commercial development, Vancouver Airport Authority.
Photo courtesy YVR
YVR offers a cuppa Joe with an authentic Italian flair
With Vancouver International Airport workers, dignitaries and travellers gathered inside the international departures area, illycaffée opened today.
With Vancouver International Airport workers,
dignitaries and travellers gathered inside the international departures area,
illycaffée opened today.
As the assembled group sipped and
nibbled their way through samples of the bistro offerings, YVR’s quiet
acoustics allowed for gentle live vocals in the background. The music added to
the tasteful ambiance as we waited for the official opening ceremonies to begin
at the first full-service illycaffé at a Canadain airport.
The one big surprise was the taste of the
coffee. Even a decaf had the vibrant flavour you’d expect to find in a European
coffee house.
In fact, illycaffé’s North American president
Barry Sheldon says they use a special carbon dioxide process to decaffeinate
their beans.
“It’s
a natural process that retains the coffee flavour,” he explains.
The founder of the company in Trieste, Italy,
Ernesto Illy and his son Andrea, after whom this three-generation family firm
was named, were food chemists. They used science to ensure quality control. And
on the farms, the firm still employs field agronomists to ensure the crops are
highest quality and most sustainably grown. Having received awards and
certification for their 100 per cent sustainable coffee production, illy works
with farmers to increase the quality of their yield and thus their farm’s income.
Scott Norris, YVR’s vice-president for
commercial development, said, “I love my coffee. This caffé is raising the
standard of food and drink at the airport.”
Calling Vancouver a gateway city with an arts
community equal to Paris and Berlin, Sheldon said YVR’s latest retail addition
offers “the authentic and modern illycaffé experience.”
Like a step inside a modern Italian shop, the
establishment is bright and airy with sassy posters. It offers coffee, packaged
meals, snacks and wine as well as a host of other useful items for travellers.
The shop, offered in partnership with
Paradies Lagardere (a North American travel retail and restaurant leader),
Norris said it was a conscious choice to place this shop within the
international departures area.
Norris said Canadians represent a diverse and
cosmopolitan group. When added to the variety of cultures passing through YVR
while waiting for their flights, the airport is the perfect place for this coffee.
“It’s what you get in Vancouver so why not at
the airport?”
This is just the beginning of a whole new
phase at our local airport.
“We can’t wait for our passengers to enjoy
illycaffé and the rest of our enhanced food, beverage and retail program which
will be introduced over the next two years,” said Norris.
Commonly called just YVR, the Vancouver
International Airport Authority is a community-based, not-for-profit
organization.
Norris said, “We can reinvest our profits
back into the airport and region. This model is something to be proud of—something
worth protecting.”
So, the good news—illy’s coffee tastes
sublime. The sad news is you’ll have to be travelling somewhere beyond North
American to get to sample the wares at the world’s first fully-fledged illycaffé
in an airport. If you do get to international departures at YVR, be sure
to leave time for a fine, authentic cup of Italian coffee. Your taste buds will
thank you.
2 Hours of free financial consulting
Jai Xin Planning Ltd.
C$120.00 C$0.00
Use any of our home staging service and get a second month rental for free!
MiiX Interiors
C$500.00 C$0.00
Get 10% off any order
Phantom Screens Lower Mainland
C$200.00 C$180.00
