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• Where
Annapolis, MD
• Founders
Vincent Iatesta
• The Story
Upon graduation from college with an MBA in marketing, Vince worked
for many years in engineering, marketing and development within
the healthcare field before partnering with his brother in his high-end
furniture design company.
With a passion for coffee that grew out of his time spent living
in France and Italy during his education, Vince opened the first
specialty coffee bean roaster and wholesale operation in Annapolis
in 2002.
Iatesta’s love for coffee has increased over time from the
purchase of his first espresso machine, a 1 lb. to 75 lb. coffee
roaster, to eventually expanding his business into a warehouse with
multiple retail locations. He has also been able to foster personal
relationships with several of his farmers whom have supplied him
with beans through the years. Iatesta makes frequent trips down
to Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Colombia championing
local communities and sustainable farming.
Caffe Pronto currently has two Annapolis retail locations and sells
to top restaurants on the eastern seaboard.
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• Passions
Coffee quality is paramount, and trips to origin and working directly
with growers helps Caffe Pronto procure the best coffees available.
Sustainability matters greatly. Fair Trade, organic and bird-friendly
certifications are important, but sometimes a grower who does not
have the certification may still be producing in a sustainable manner.
Trips to origins and relationships with farmers can provide valuable
information on which farmers are growing in a sustainable manner.
• Awards
Head Roaster Andy Sprenger awarded 2nd place in the 2009 U.S. Cup
Tasters’ Championship
Specialty Coffee Association of America's (SCAA) Roaster's Choice
2009 - 2nd Place for Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Wondo Worka
Barista Trainer Greg Suekoff- 2007 Ultimate Barista Challenge USA
Latte Art Champion; 2008 UBC USA Espresso Cocktail Champion; 2006
Monin Zen Master Award winner
Vince and Andy have been judges at the Cup of Excellence competitions
in Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Nicaragua
Top reviews on CoffeeReview.com
Buyer of Cup of Excellence coffee beans
• Quote
“I have an intense drive toward excellence. I like excellence
not only in the way a product tastes, but also with the way a product
looks, smells, and the manner in which it is delivered.”
- Vince Iatesta
• Web Site
www.caffepronto.com
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