Myllennium Award Winner Caterina Piccinno: From Scholarship to the Heart of the F&B Industry

Thanks to the MyJOB scholarship, Caterina joined ESCP’s top-ranked MSc in IFBM and discovered where she’s meant to be

What if a scholarship could open more than just a door?
For Caterina Piccinno, winning the 2025 Myllennium Award – MyJOB section meant more than accessing funding, it meant joining the MSc in International Food & Beverage Management at ESCP Business School, the world’s #1 ranked master’s in the field (Eduniversal). 

She applied with a clear goal in mind, but what she didn’t expect was the profound impact this experience would have on her confidence, her perspective, and her future in the food and beverage industry.
Now studying in Turin, Caterina reflects on what it means to be recognised, to feel seen and supported, and to be part of a programme that didn’t just educate her, it empowered her.

If you're thinking of applying for the Myllennium Award, her journey might just be the motivation you're looking for.

“I chose to try”: Owning your story, embracing the unknown

What does being a Myllennium Award winner mean to you? 

Being a Myllennium Award winner is not just a label or a scholarship. It is proof that I had the courage to seize an opportunity and truly try. It means that someone believed in me, trusted my potential, and chose to listen. Feeling seen and heard, especially in an increasingly impersonal and standardised world, is what makes this recognition deeply meaningful to me.

Let’s imagine you’re speaking to your past self, the day before applying to the Myllennium Award. What would you say to her?

You know the trend “she doesn’t know it yet, but in a few months…”. I would tell her that she is about to move to Turin and meet wonderful colleagues. But above all, I would tell her to fully enjoy the last months of her bachelor’s degree, because once graduation arrives, everything moves incredibly fast. Sometimes, the “she doesn’t know it yet” part is the most thrilling moment of all.

Confidence unlocked: One win leads to many

The Myllennium Award didn’t just bring Caterina to ESCP, it changed how she sees herself. Here's how one ‘yes’ helped her say yes to even more.

How has winning the Myllennium Award changed the way you see your future?

Winning the Myllennium Award taught me to always try. It pushed me to apply for new opportunities with more confidence. Just a few weeks later, I applied for another initiative rewarding academic theses, and I won. I would not have done it without this experience. I truly learned that, as we say in Italy, “tentar non nuoce”.

Inside the MSc in IFBM: Curiosity meets transformation

Between cutting-edge coursework, real-world industry visits, and shared passion with peers, Caterina’s time at ESCP has been more than academic, it has been deeply personal.

If you could describe MSc in IFBM in three words, what would they be – and why?  

Stimulating, open-minded and transformative. The programme constantly challenges you intellectually, exposes you to diverse perspectives and connects theory with real-world experiences. It does not simply add knowledge but reshapes the way you observe the food industry and your role within it.

What’s one unexpected opportunity or encounter that came your way thanks to this scholarship?

Visiting the production sites of well-known companies was an unexpected and inspiring opportunity. Seeing what truly happens behind the scenes of everyday products… It felt like fulfilling the childhood dream of stepping into the chocolate factory of Willie Wonka - a feeling I will never forget.

Belonging and belief: When everything clicks

There’s a moment during every journey where things just feel right. For Caterina, that moment was shared, and unforgettable.

Was there a moment at ESCP when you felt: “This is exactly where I’m meant to be”?

During the visit to Loacker, I saw my colleagues’ eyes sparkle, and I felt a deep sense of belonging. People from different backgrounds, united by the same passion and intuition. More than “where I am meant to be”, it felt like where we are meant to be. Sharing that experience together was truly empowering.

Your story matters

One last word to the students considering whether to apply? Be bold and be real.

What would you say to a student considering applying for the Myllennium Award today? 

Show your true motivation. If you are a foodie, I am sure you have a story to tell. Maybe it starts with your grandmother’s cooking, a past career as a chef, or a dream of opening your own restaurant. There is a dream inside you: do not hide it. Authenticity is powerful: when you speak honestly about what inspires you, you allow others to see not just your skills, but your motivation and vision.