We’re dedicated to your business
Coffee isn’t the end; it’s the means to giving customers a great experience. We’re all proud hospitality professionals who understand what it takes to run a great venue. That’s why we say our purpose is to help our customers build better coffee businesses.
Craig Dickson
Managing director and company pioneer Craig has more than 10 years’ experience in the industry. He is one of only a handful of Australians qualified to judge at world barista level, an advocate for the specialty coffee industry and a mentor to those pursuing a coffee career.
He is always pushing harder to achieve more and places emphasis on direct trade, encouraging wonderful coffee relationships to flourish right across the planet.
ACCREDITATIONS: World Barista Judge – Barista Championships, Brewer’s Cup, Latte Art
ROCKY VENEZIANO
Rocky remembers making his first espresso at age six while standing on a milk crate in order to reach the machine. He lives and breathes hospitality and has for his entire life. With an uncanny ability to identify business opportunities, co-founder Rocky was instrumental in establishing Veneziano Coffee Roasters. From the beginning, high-quality coffee and superior barista skills have been the basis of Veneziano’s success.
CRAIG SIMON
Regarded as one of the highest technically skilled baristas in the world, Craig is a two-time Australian Barista Champion and leads our research and development programs as our Coffee Ambassador.
Craig’s interest in coffee goes far beyond the final cup. From farming and roasting, to brewing and service – Craig regularly travels to origin and has spent the last 10 years understanding how to improve the entire coffee production cycle.
Craig participated in the first Q Grade training course offered in Australia in 2011, since then, using his skills for sourcing and grading coffee, he has advanced as Australia’s first certified Q-Grade instructor. Craig runs regular Q Courses at Veneziano’s certified training school.
Craig’s dedication to coffee and his role as a mentor in the industry has gained him significant international acclaim and respect.
ACCREDITATIONS: Q-Grade Instructor, Barista Mentor, 4th 2014 World Barista Championship, Australian Barista Champion, 2012 & 2014, Victorian Barista Champion, 2012, 2014 & 2015, Victorian Cupping Champion, 2012 & 2015, Certified Q Grader, SCAA Lead Instructor
SARAH EAGLES
Sarah has been part of the coffee industry for over five years – not making it, but definitely drinking it! Part of the team that created and executed the Melbourne International Coffee Expo, and the team that brought the World Barista Championships to Melbourne, Sarah brings over 10 years marketing and event experience to the team.
Barista Trainers
Our team of barista champions, latte art champions and cupping specialists are driven by the desire to achieve excellence and pass on their knowledge to the industry. We’ve gathered the best trainers to help your team develop skills that rival any champion barista.
JADE JENNINGs
Veneziano’s national training manager, Jade has over 10 years’ experience in the coffee industry spanning everything from training to consulting, cupping and café operations. Jade is the Southern regional barista champion for 2016 & 2017, and placed 2nd and 3rd respectively in the Australian barista championships. She is considered an authority when it comes to competition and has worked alongside the worlds most celebrated baristas and trainers.
A highly regarded and respected name in coffee, Jade is also an Australian barista sensory judge and an Australian latte art visual judge.
Jade leads our new, state-of-the-art training school at our River street roastery where aspiring talent come to learn from the best. Jade loves nothing more than working closely with baristas to help them refine their skills.
ACCREDITATIONS: Victorian Barista Champion 2017 & 2016, Australian Barista Championship 3rd Place 2017, Australian Barista Championship Runner up 2016, Victorian Barista Finalist 2013, State of Origin Champion 2012, Australian Barista Sensory Judge, Australian Latte Art Visual Judge
ERIN SAMPSON
Armed with a love of coffee and travel, Erin started entering competitions to perfect her skills. This thirst for knowledge led to her becoming one of the first women in Australia to achieve high-level competition success. She prides herself on nurturing new barista talent and mentoring competition entrants.
ACCREDITATIONS: 2010 Australian Barista Champion Runner-up, 2009 World Latte Art Champion 2nd Runner-up, 2008 Victorian Latte Art Champion, 2007 Australian Barista Champion Runner-up
Roasters
Our roast team is one the most experienced and awarded in the industry, and use this innate understanding to roast some of the best coffees around. They regularly travel to origin, developing relationships with fair trade coffee growers to access the best specialty coffee and influence processing methods. To ensure consistency in our blends we follow a strict quality control program, striving for excellence each and every time.
PAT CONNOLLY
Pat has spent the past 13 years building a coffee career spanning all facets of the industry, including roasting, cupping and purchasing. In his current role, Pat manages our roasting team and consults with Indian coffee growers to develop processing methods and taste profiles that suit Australian coffee consumers.
ACCREDITATIONS: World Brewer’s Cup Sensory Judge, ACT Barista Champion 2008, State of Origin winner 2012
JACK ALLISEY
As head of our green bean buying, Jack evaluates our green coffee supply and manages the complex production schedule. His focus extends to developing relationships with our direct trade coffee farmers around the world, ensuring we take home the best green beans. Jack also brings his experience as a certified Q Grader and experienced roaster to our R&D team – making him an integral part of the consistency and quality in our roasts.
AWARDS: Certified Q Grader, 2012 Victorian Cupping Champion
Dedicated and Reliable Account Managers
Our account managers draw from a wealth of professional hospitality experience. Each café is assigned a dedicated account manager, who becomes an extension of your team by understanding you and your business. They will advise you on the best equipment and ensure regular servicing to keep your cafe running smoothly.
BEN ROMERIL
Joining Veneziano in 2010, Ben brings a rich background managing national brands and products in the hospitality and coffee space. Ben has lead various teams throughout Veneziano and now heads up our national sales and distributor teams.
ACCREDITATIONS: Certified Q Grader, Australian Technical Judge, Australian Sensory Judge
From time to time we seek coffee specialists to join our team. If you’re looking to further your career in coffee, send your CV to hr@venezianocoffee.com.au