For one special week, Chefs Club Counter in Soho is joining forces with illy, the global leader in high-quality, sustainably-grown coffee, to present Chefs Club Caffè by illy.

Coffee lovers from all over flocked to have a taste of some of the best coffees. The series of delicious foods and beverages kicked off on Sunday with a coffee tasting of the best coffees in the world that will also be honored at the upcoming Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award. The Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award recognizes coffee growers who demonstrate excellence in achieving sustainable quality.

Similar to a wine tasting, guests had the opportunity to compare samples and hone their taste buds in a “blind tasting” of nine distinct coffees from Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, India, Nicaragua and Rwanda, and then cast their vote for this year’s Coffee Lovers Choice Award.

To accompany the coffee tasting, Chef Alfio Ghezzi served up a few of his signature, refined small plates.

The rest of the week will be followed by a special series of dinner events with Chef Alfio Ghezzi of 2-star Michelin-rated Locanda Margon and Antonia Klugmann from Michelin-starred L’Argine a Vencò.

Photos by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for illy