TAMPA, Florida, USA — Italian Barista champion and World Barista champion runner-up Daniele Ricci recently joined Buddy Brew Coffee as guest barista at the newly minted Buddy Brew Academy, Powered by Victoria Arduino. The permanent gallery-style showroom is located in a newly renovated space at Buddy Brew’s flagship location at 2020 W. Kennedy Boulevard.
Ricci participated in a recent open house and happy hour event with Buddy Brew founders Dave and Susan Ward. Ricci is the Italian barista champion for 2020 and 2023 and World barista champion runner-up for 2023.
During his visit, Ricci got behind the counter and demonstrated his award-winning skills, including pulling espresso shots, pouring latte art and creating Pure Brew coffee cocktails.
Buddy Brew Academy, Powered by Victoria Arduino, is the first and only U.S. location where buyers can see, try out and purchase Victoria Arduino commercial espresso machines and grinders in person.
“It was such an honor to have Danny visit the new Buddy Brew Academy,” said Dave Ward, Buddy Brew co-founder. “This unique partnership with our friends at Simonelli Group in Italy is a dream come true, and you can expect more guests like Danny to be a part of our coffee education classes and product launches in the future.”
Simonelli will use the space to launch new Victoria Arduino products and roll out features, including Pure Brew Technology, which according to the company, is “… a revolutionary, three-phase, extraction method that uses pulsating frequencies of water pressure to release the purest flavor from your coffee bean according to its freshness, region and type.”
Buddy Brew Academy, Powered by Victoria Arduino, will be the training hub for Buddy Brew baristas from all eight café locations across Tampa Bay as well as for Buddy Brew’s many wholesale partners, including coffee shops, restaurants, resorts, golf clubs, churches and luxury hotels throughout Florida and the southeast region. Coffee education classes for the public on brewing and cupping also will take place in the newly renovated space.
Buddy Brew Academy, Powered by Victoria Arduino, features Victoria Arduino’s premier coffee equipment, including a 3-group volumetric Black Eagle Maverick; a 2-group volumetric Eagle One; an E1 Prima and an E1 Prima EXP. Also available to try out are the MYG75 and My75 Mythos grinders, and the Atom 65 espresso grinder.
“Our collaboration unites the strengths of both companies, leveraging Victoria Arduino’s performance and Buddy Brew Coffee’s coffee expertise,” said Marco Feliziani, CEO of Simonelli Group, Italy, at the grand opening in November 2023. “Together, we aim to deliver unparalleled value, pioneering education and an enhanced coffee experience for customers. This partnership marks the beginning of an exciting journey towards coffee education.”
To make an appointment to visit Buddy Brew Academy, Powered by Victoria Arduino, contact info@buddybrew.com.
To inquire about wholesale partnerships with Buddy Brew Coffee, visit the wholesale portal.
Follow on Instagram at @buddybrewcoffee and @buddybehindthebrew.
