May 2010

Here is the first of a series of ongoing interviews with Hot New
Brands. Keep checking back as we will be adding to this over the next few weeks.

Interview with Alberto and Tancredi Alemagna of Tamilano

What inspired you to set up Tamilano?
We can’t forget the smell of the Panettone cake served at table during the Christmas dinner. For us more than one cake it was one symbol. In the same way the chocolate has inspired us for its magical proprieties, for its history and obviously for its great flavor!
After our first visit to a chocolate factory we didn’t have any more doubts about our road.
Our family has worked in the candy business since 1911 with the brand: “Alemagna”.
My brother and I have grown up with candy. In 2007 we launched T’a Sentimento Italiano.

Where do you get the inspiration for your creations?
After we travelled thousands of km around the world we stop a second to look around us. We realized that all around the world there is a piece of Italy so we run back home and we started to write a book … our family history book!
We start from our tradition and continue smiling to the future.

What do you most enjoy doing in your working day?
When we arrive in the office and we open our stock room and we eat some chocolate. Definitely tasting chocolates!

If you face a challenging situation in work, how do you get over it?
Working by our self and sometimes working in a team. This helps you to see the situation from another point of view.

What is the best advice that you received when setting up your business?
Don’t save money on quality!

What are you most proud of in your career, or life to date?
That we are making our company bigger every year during the worst worldwide crisis. I’m proud that people are recognizing our efforts.

Describe your perfect day.
The perfect day is when my phone don’t ring all the time and I can dedicate myself to improve my knowledge on this exceptional product.

How do you unwind after work?
Going out with friends to a nice restaurant. I love high quality gourmet food and I love to see what other chefs prepare, even with a good glass of wine, red wine!

Do you listen to music? What is on your iPod?
Oasis, Oasis and …. Oasis!