Greek Coffee God
Be quick, clean and consistent..... MA
The consummate professional - Marios Aspradakis
When you meet Marios Aspradakis the first thing you notice his infectious passion for coffee. He is the head barista at Plato's cafe @ 1 Market Street in Sydney's CBD on weekdays operating a 3 group San Marino espresso machines and using Piazza Doro coffee and then barista's at Paddington Grind Cafe @ 339 Oxford Street Paddington on Saturdays where he uses a 3 group ECM Veneziano.
Marios came to Australia in 2003 from Greece. Here he discovered the barista tradition. His first real barista job was at the QVB where he was turning over around 50kg of coffee per week. He has also worked for the GG's espresso group as one of their leading baristas. Now, with 3.5 years of experience he is entering the realms of professional barista status with a Class 1 barista rating from the Sydney Coffee Centre.
His future plan is to run his own coffee espresso bar and you can be sure that you will get a great cup of coffee from Marios. But in the meantime you can find Marios at Plato's Cafe, 1 Market Street in the Sydney CBD.
Favourite Coffee Brands – Campos, Toby's, & Divi Espresso
Favourite Milk Brand - Dairy Farmers
Favourite Machine – La Mazocco
Favourite Grinder – BNZ Conical
Favourite Tamp – Flat Face
Favourite Coffee Drink - Macchiato
Favourite Cafe - Mecca on King
Busiest cafe - Paddington Grind Cafe where he is averaging 1000 coffees per Saturday on his own with a 3 group ECM espresso machine.
Most disliked Coffee Orders- 50/50 (Whole/Skim) Decaf Latte, Decaf Soy Latte & Skinny Hot Choc
Advise for the aspirating barista – Plan your orders as far ahead as possible and always be quick, clean and consistent.
Marios Aspradakis
'There is no I in team'.....but there is a 'me' somewhere in there. PD
Barista Extraordinaire - Paolo Dicembre
Paolo has dedicated his life to the art and skill of the barista tradition. Although he doesn't engage in the usual rhetoric that commonly takes place in some 'elite' barista circles, he has a deep desire to provide the best result for his trade. Paolo lets his coffees do the talking.
The Macchiato Lungo is his signature coffee. He keeps his machine and work area spotless which is always a good sign.
His domain, the Cafe –
Paolo mans his barista station like a warrior. Working efficiently regardless of the demands during different hours of the day. The la Nuova Retro 3 group gets a pounding but the Italian made beast rides hard like a Ferrari on the open road. Paolo has a great workflow technique which he manages effectively. Ensuring speed of service and quality . He also teaches at the Sydney Coffee Centre on occasion. Helping others to uphold the Barista tradition.
Favourite Coffee Brand – Divi Espresso (Crema Blend)
Favourite Machine – La Mazocco
Favourite Grinder – Mazza
Favourite Tamp – Eazytamp - Flat Faced
Greatest achievement - The Sydney Writers Festival in May 2005, together with my brother Michael Dicembre, we created more than 15,000 coffee beverages over a four day period.
Best Coffee Story -
I met Mel Gibson and he asked me to be his personal barista at his 50th birthday party. (Official Lie)
Worst Coffee Story -
I spilt coffee all over Steven Spielberg at Mel Gibson's 50th birthday (Official Lie)
Advise for the aspirating barista –
Love what you do and do what you love. Look for the good in everybody and everything.
Paolo Dicembre
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