The Roma – Overview

The Roma is undoubtedly the Grandfather of the Sanremo family. Available in two and three group head size, the Roma is the Ferrari of the range. It has temperature control technology, enabling each group head to serve espresso at different temperatures, which helps reduce your energy consumption.

It has a self-cleaning programme, programmable on/off timer, manual safety circuit, adjustable feet… and the shape, bodywork and clean lines to rival any Italian sports car. This is Italian design, through and through.

Even better, if you really want to, you can customise the black and white bodywork with mood lighting and a wood finish.

This is suited to the passionate barista who wants a real showpiece for his or her café.

Power Supply

The two and three group head require single phase power.

Optional Extras

You can request a turbo steam wand for the Roma if you require it.

USP (Unique Selling Point)

Without a doubt, the selling point of this machine is its combination of TCS technology and its sleek, masculine design. No-one buys this machine to keep it out of sight, it MUST be displayed proudly, as the focal point of any coffee bar.

Compromise

After buying this machine, you won’t ever be happy to use another machine again. Also, its big. Really big. So you will need a lot of room for it.

Picture Credits
Thanks to Bottega Milanese, Leeds

The Workshop consisted of three main parts – a practical session on the official UKBC kit (a San Remo Verona and the Mahlkonig K30 grinders, kindly leant to us by Mahlkonig UK), a Q & A session with a certified UKBC Judge, plus an opportunity for the Baristas to chat with other competitors and share ideas.

In attendance were four experienced competitors (including several finalists) and four UKBC newcomers. The varying levels of experience produced a great learning environment, with all baristas benefiting from the day.

“We are really pleased with the turnout on the day,” Nino Di Rienzo, owner of Casa Espresso said. “We are proud to be supporting not only baristas competing this year, but also the baristas who are considering entering for the first time next year. We are hoping that by opening up our facility for competitors to train at, we can encourage the next potential UKBC winner – who will be from the North of England for a change!”

Casa Espresso are also hosting a UKBC Information Day for Baristas on the 10th February, for those who are considering entering next year and want to find out more. To book a slot on this day, please email Sadie @ casaespresso.co.uk.

The Day will consist of an introduction to the competition criteria and rules, by one of this year’s UKBC Judges, and will then be followed by a demonstration by an experienced UKBC semi-finalist, who will talk you though the whole competition session. You will also get the chance to try a couple of different competition level coffee blends and single origins.

At the end of the day, there will be an opportunity to have a practise pulling some shots from the Verona yourself, under the guidance of our baristas, and to chat to your fellow baristas.

A small contribution of £5 is politely requested, to cover a light lunch, which will be provided, and the cost of coffee and milk. To book a slot, please email sadie @ casaespresso.co.uk.

Hosted by Casa Espresso, suppliers of San Remo commercial espresso machines and speciality coffee, the Workshop will feature a Question and Answer session with a UK Barista Championship 2012-13 Sensory Judge, as well as valuable practice with previous competitors.

The aim of the Workshop is to provide an open day of information regarding the rules and aims of the competition, plus a chance to practise your drinks and get some valuable feedback from your coffee contemporaries.

• Judges’ Q & A of the official Scoresheet.
• Espresso and cappuccino discussion and practise.
• Signature drinks discussion and practise.
• Technical and set up advice and discussion.
• Opportunity to practise on the official UKBC machine and grinder.
• The ability to share knowledge and ideas with your fellow baristas.

If you attend, you may find it helpful to bring:

• Your own competition cups, milk pitchers and coffee(s).
• Your own grinder (if you are not using the K30).
• Signature drink ingredients, if you want to practise preparing this.

If you would like to attend the session, please be aware places are limited, so please contact us ASAP to book a spot. A small contribution of £5.00 per person to cover lunch and milk is politely requested, payable on the day.

If demand is significant, we may offer another workshop so if you would like to attend but are not available on this date, please email us and let us know.

Please also note if you would like to take part in the UKBC 2012, it’s not too late! You can enter up until 25th January.

Visit http://scaeuk.com/uk-barista-championship.php for more information and entry sheets.

To book a place, please email us at sadie @ casaespresso.co.uk.

• The Verona SED
• Verona TCS
• Verona Tall Cup

This Hotspot blog will consider how to choose which Verona is right for you, and how to customise it to suit your business.

Firstly, answer these quick questions:

Do you plan on using different espresso origins and blends?

Do you serve a lot of takeaway drinks?

Do you want to save energy?

Do you believe every shot has a “sweet spot”?

If you scored more than 3 YES – Verona TCS Tall Cup

You want to play around with different blends, origins and temperature, and make a cracking good shot in the process. You also want to run a commercially successful business, and make drinks quickly and profitably. Go for the Verona TCS Tall Cup, as then you can:

• Adjust your group head temperature by degrees to enable each origin/ blend you serve to be served at the perfect temperature
• Fit a takeaway cup or large mug straight under the group head
• Save up to 30% energy consumption.

If you scored more than 3 NO – Verona standard (SED)

You love the look and the style of the Verona, but will be serving just one house blend, so the temperature control isn’t as important to you as price. However, you still want all the features that a Verona has such as:

• The self cleaning function
• The 50s style and shape
• The option to choose from Pearl White, Light Blue, Red, Metallic Black or Metallic Blue

If you scored more than 3 MAYBE – Verona TCS

Pick the Verona TCS, for temperature controlled group heads that can be adjusted if you decide to add different blends or origins in the future. You appreciate that different origins require different temperatures, but may not be ready to do this yet. In the meantime, practise on your existing coffee, and taste the difference!

The Verona – Overview

The focus of the Verona is style and substance. Each basic (SED) model has a pre-brew function, manual doser, self-clean function, on board diagnostics, shot timer, adjustable feet and cup warmer as standard.

The TCS model has the added advantage of having individually controllable groupheads as well. Each model is available in standard or Tall Cup, and in one, two, three and four group heads.

This is an ideal machine for a busy coffee shop, focusing on quality of coffee, the art of the barista, and the speed and accuracy of the service.
For any other environment, its just showing off. But in the fashionable world of coffee, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, whatsoever.

Power Supply

The Verona SED can be ordered on a 13 amp socket, but generally both the SED and the TCS will require single phase electricity.

Optional Extras

The Verona TCS Tall or standard can be fitted with a turbo automatic steam wand, ideal for high volume environments where staff may not be completely confident with milk texturing, or where staff are doing several things at once! (However, the Verona SED does not have this option).

USP (Unique Selling Point)

Its utter, indescribable beauty! The gentle curves and streamlined, 1950s Italian design have baristas the world over falling for its charms. This, matched with its intelligent features and focus on creating the perfect espresso made it a no brainer to be the official machine of the UKBC from 2009-2011.
You can even set it to come on and switch off at certain times of the day, ideal if you have forgetful staff.

Compromises

The price – this machine is not the cheapest, but it is worth every single penny in the right environment. Its also pretty big – so make sure you have checked it will fit on your counter!

Picture Credits

Thanks to The Perky Peacock, York
Thanks to Little Greek Pie, London
Thanks to Scoops, Saltaire.

What’s in it for me?

• A cool coffee related prize
• Increased exposure for your blog
• A chance to connect with other bloggers and coffee lovers
• We’ll tweet and share your article giving your blog added exposure
• Your entry will be promoted on our own blog
• Did we mention a cool coffee prize?

What exactly do I win?

• 1st Prize: A full Barista Kit so you can create perfect coffee everytime. Includes a stylish hand tamper, a high quality foaming jug, a set of espresso cups, accessories and two full bags of Casa Espresso Rainforest Alliance Coffee.
• 2nd Prize: Two bags of Casa Espresso Rainforest Alliance Coffee
• 3rd Prize: One bag of Casa Espresso Rainforest Alliance Coffee

How do I enter?

• To enter you simply have to write a blog post that’s coffee related, it can be on your own blog, or a guest post another blog, all that matters is that it’s related to coffee. So it can be anything from why you love it, how you first discovered a taste for it, how to make the perfect cup, how you see coffee developing in the future. As long as it’s coffee related, you’ll be fine!

What are the rules?

• All content must be your own and not reproduced from elsewhere
• There’s no word count as such, but needless to say a paragraph isn’t going to suffice, but at the same time, don’t write a book!
• The post has to contain a link back to the Casa Espresso site. View a selection of links here
• Please email us a link to your blog post once it’s published to competition@casaespresso.co.uk
• Closing date for entries is 20th December 2011, winner’s will be announced on the 21st and prizes sent out to arrive just in time for Christmas!
• Entries must be from the UK and Ireland

How do I win?

• Your contest submission will be judged first and foremost the quality and style of the content, if it’s written with a serious passion for coffee then it stands a very good chance.
• We’ll also place weight on the number of comments you receive and how your content is shared through social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter – this could help us sway one way or the other in the event of a really tough decision.

What are you waiting for? Make yourself a cup of coffee and get writing!

If you’d like any additional info or have any questions, drop a comment below or email us on the above address.

In Casa Espresso & Nino we have found a match for our quality & service ethos. They have patiently & knowledgably assisted us in obtaining our beautiful Sanremo Roma. We have no hesitation in recommending Casa Espresso highly and look forward to a long lasting professional relationship.

The Milano – Overview

Avaliable in one, two or three group head, the Milano can grow with your business! The Milano is ideally suited to a restaurant environment, where coffees are required in a steady stream throughout the day, with few busy periods.
Unlike the Amalfi and the Capri, the hot water from the spout is produced via a button, rather than a twisty knob.
The Milano also has the famous E61 groupheads (click here to read more about groupheads) which heats the water at the group head to ensure perfect temperature each time.

Power Supply

The one and two group Milanos require a 13 amp plug, but the 3 group version will need hardwiring into single phase electricity (similar to a cooker switch).

Optional Extras

Electronic shot counter is available on this model. It can also be fitted with a cup heater, an extra heating element on top of the machine, to assist in warming your cups faster.

USP (Unique Selling Point)

The Milano is ideally suited to restaurant or bar environments, due to its sleek looks, reliable quality of espresso thanks to the E61 grouphead, and ease of operation.

Compromises

The boiler size in the 2 group is 8.6 litres, which is smaller than the Amalfi or Capri.

The Amalfi – Overview

The key feature of the Amalfi model is that it can be used to make coffees directly into takeaway cups, thanks to the space between the group head and the drip tray. You can easily fit a 12 ounce takeaway cup or a large mug directly under the group head, without the need to use smaller cups and pour out.
It also offers the flexibility of having a fold up cup shelf halfway up, so if you want to make coffee directly into an espresso cup you can pull down the shelf and rest the cup upon it. This makes it a really flexible machine.
This is ideal for a busy sandwich bar which mainly does takeaway cups, or for a demanding coffee shop which uses large mugs.

It also comes in white, blue, red and black.

Power Supply

This machine requires to be wired in using single phase electricity, due to its large boiler size.

Optional Extras

The Amalfi can be fitted with an electronic cup counter to enable the number of shots run off to be counted.

USP (Unique Selling Point)

The versatility that the Tall Cup gives you, alongside its competitive price, is its biggest USP. This, alongside with the 12 litre boiler makes it capable of dealing with any type of busy commercial environment.

Compromises

Whilst it offers a superb, flexible functionality, it lacks the style and looks of the Verona, which is also available in Tall Cup It also does not have the E61 group heads.

Picture Credits

Thanks to Serenity Shisha Bar, Leeds

The Capri – Overview

The Sanremo Capri Espresso Machine is available in a one group or two group sized machine. The one group is ideal for the small café, pub environment, or restaurant that doesn’t have a high demand for coffee, but refuses to compromise on quality. The 2 group is suitable for small to medium sized cafes or sandwich shops, which have busy periods.

It can come in red, blue, white or black, and has an attractive silver finish, making it an attractive addition to any counter.

Power Required

The Capri runs off a normal 13 amp socket.

Optional Extras

The Capri can be fitted with an electronic coffee counter to enable you to track how many coffees you are making in a day. This is especially handy if your small business relies on staff, and you need an easy way to track how much is being sold.

USP (Unique Selling Point)

The same copper boiler, design and build you would expect from Sanremo, but at an affordable entry level price.
The 2 group head has a 10 litre boiler, making it capable of producing lots of coffees, quickly. This is great for cafes which have busy periods, such as hectic lunchtimes, and do not want to compromise on speed during this time.

Compromises

The look is simple and polished, but not as stylised as other models. It also does not have the E61 group head technology, meaning group head water temperature is regulated from the boiler.

Picture Credits

Thanks to The Woolpack Arms, Whitley www.woolpackcountryinn.co.uk