World Barista champ runner-up Daniele Ricci visits new Victoria Arduino showroom at Buddy Brew Coffee
Simonelli Group partnership represents the first of its kind in the U.S.
TAMPA, Florida (Feb. 6, 2024) — 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 (pictured left with Buddy Brew co-founder Susan Ward) 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 wi
th 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 the brand's baristas working at 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.
