Opening the Door to the Future
Alumni Interview with Samantha Lucenti
Samantha Lucenti shares how being an FUA Alum opened the door to an opportunity to work as a Wine Educator at Macari Vineyards, the family business of another FUA Alum and classmate!
My name is Samantha Lucenti, and I’m originally from Buffalo, New York. I came to Florence University of the Arts in 2015-2016 from Grand Valley State University, where I just graduated in May 2017 with a degree in Hospitality Management. My name is Samantha Lucenti, and I’m originally from Buffalo, New York. I came to Florence University of the Arts in 2015-2016 from Grand Valley State University, where I just graduated in May 2017 with a degree in Hospitality Management.
At FUA, I enrolled in hospitality and wine courses, and my ultimate goal while studying abroad was to take advantage of as many opportunities as possible. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, and I was so fortunate to be able to meet many different people who all brought something unique to the experience.
One of the best opportunities I had at FUA was my Experiential Learning at Fedora. I really enjoyed making espresso and cappuccinos every morning for students and locals, and being able to practice my Italian language in a very realistic work situation. I had the pleasure of working alongside the Hospitality Manager of Fedora and Ganzo at many special events, and I learned so much throughout this hands-on experience. One of the most important skills I learned was adopting a new mentality that allowed me to open up to change and flexibility. This mind-set has led to many positive things for me!
This past fall, I had the opportunity to participate in the 2016 TuttoToscana program in NYC. During this week of events, I was able to reconnect with another FUA Alum, Eddie Macari, whose family wines from Macari Vineyard were featured at the FUA Alumni Gala Dinner at the James Beard Foundation. In Florence, Eddie and I had classes together, and he would come into Fedora for coffee, and thanks to the TuttoToscana program, I was able to reconnect him and his family and talk about employment at the vineyard, which became a reality for me.
Macari Vineyards is a 500 acre vineyard that is on the North Fork of Long Island, New York. A typical work day for me is prepping for any visitors and pouring wines while educating guests about the family, vineyard, and types of wine. As a wine educator, there is a large responsibility to always provide the utmost level of hospitality and knowledge about the wines and history of Macari Vineyards.
After working at Macari Vineyards with former FUA alum Eddie Macari, I decided to move to NYC where I applied for the event coordinator position at Cipiriani. After interviewing with the company, they were impressed by my education at FUA. And as Cipriani is an Italian based company, my knowledge of working with Italians and speaking the language put me ahead of other applicants. Now, being the Event Coordinator, I am constantly in contact with clients, our chef, and other managers of the company coordinating daily events. I also keep track of our yearly budget, create banquet event orders for every event, and assist clients in anything they need.
The most valuable skills I gained from FUA was from experience working special events with the FUA PR and a base knowledge of the Italian language and wine studies. The skills I learned from the special events weren't necessarily event related but more of my openness to change and accepting opportunities when presented. These mental skills have pushed me farther than I ever thought and have opened doors along the way.
My advice for future FUA students is to go outside of your comfort zone, and that includes your “comfort group,” and go do something around the city by yourself. Talk to people you don't know, and take advantage of opportunities whenever you can.
If you’re interested in getting in touch with Samantha or Eddie, please write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Photograph of courtesy of Samantha Lucenti
