Espresso Mundo

Coffee Industry Pioneer • Barista • Coffee Specialist • Café owner • Micro Roaster.

With more than 30 years in the coffee industry, Gus has lived through — and contributed to — some of the most important developments in modern coffee culture.

From the early espresso bars of Sydney, Australia, to the coffee scene of London and the international coffee industry, his career has been defined by craftsmanship, innovation and an enduring passion for great coffee.

Sydney — The Birth of the Flat White

In 1992, Gus was working at Moors in Sydney, Australia, a venue recognised as the birthplace of the Flat White.

Gus spent five years at Moors as Head Barista working 6 days a week with a much cherished Faema Tronic, the iconic burgundy, during a formative period in Sydney's rapidly developing espresso culture.

Gus together with a close group of passionate Sydney baristas, locally known as The Band Of Baristas, he became part of the grassroots movement that helped develop the techniques, culture and craftsmanship surrounding the Flat White. "He say's, we would all meetup jump in one of the guy's car and go out for coffee, the conversation would always be about coffee, espresso shots, dosing, tamping, milk texturing, latte art and the developing Flat White and how to perfect it, it was being tweaked constantly.

1994 — The Development of Coffee Art:

In 1994, Gus was involved in the emerging Sydney barista movement developing the early foundations of coffee art and milk presentation.

Working alongside fellow baristas, he helped develop the skills and craftsmanship behind milk texturing, pouring and presentation — techniques that would subsequently become an integral part of modern specialty coffee culture. " People would travel to have our coffee decorated with the most unusual patterns, "People would come and see us with news paper cuttings asking.. Is this the right café?

1992 — Flat White development

1994 — Coffee art development

Bringing the Flat White to London:

when Gus continued his career in the United Kingdom, he brought with him the grassroots knowledge, skills and craftsmanship developed during Sydney's early coffee movement. "Back then no one knew what a Flat White was, the coffee in London was awful.

While training team members at some of the best known UK café brands, developing a comprehensive coffee manual for a well known coffee roaster and attending industry events. It was not until at Puccino's Coffee in London, Gus established the Flat White, helping introduce the true Australian/Sydney approach to the UK coffee scene.

His work helped carry the Flat White beyond its Sydney roots, contributing to its evolution into the globally recognised coffee beverage it is today.

From Barista to Café Owner

Gus went on to own and operate a number of Sydney espresso bars, including:

Queens Cafe — QVB, Sydney

2 Park Street Espresso Bar — Sydney

Rosso Cafe — Sydney

The Lobby Espresso — Sydney

At 2 Park st we used to make circa 1000 coffee per day, it was organized kaos. During peak rush we would grind a kilo of coffee per 30 min and at times I recall in 15 min, the equipment we used was pushed to its limits, coffee grinders blades would warp under the stress.

Across more than three decades, Gustavo estimates that he has personally made more than one million coffees charging up his followers with a hit of caffeine to tackle the Sydney hustle. 

Industry Recognition:

People would travel and follow you wherever you opened a new store, it was always great to see all the customers from all walks of life, actors, cleaners, local business identities, famous book writers, politicians, bank traders we knew them by name and would chat about life every day.

Recognised as one of Sydney's leading baristas. Gus has also participated as a barista competition judge, assessing professional skills, technique and coffee preparation.

His career has included working with some of the world's largest and most recognised coffee organisations and brands:

Douwe Egberts • Nespresso • Starbucks • Costa Coffee • United Coffee / UCC • Nestlé • Vittoria Coffee • Andronicus Coffee • Lavazza • Segaffredo and Nespresso.

2011 — London Coffee Festival World Record:

In 2011, Gustavo was part of the Belle Baristas team at the London Coffee Festival that broke the world record for the most espresso coffees produced in one hour.

The team produced an extraordinary:12,005 ESPRESSOS IN ONE HOUR

The achievement required speed, precision, consistency and exceptional teamwork.

A Personal Journey.

After more than three decades in coffee, there is one thing that still makes Gus smile.

Seeing “Flat White” written on a café menu.

Whether walking through London, Paris, Germany, Spain, Taiwan, Japan or somewhere else in the world, seeing those two words on a coffee menu is a reminder of how far the drink has travelled from its early Sydney roots.

What started as part of a grassroots coffee culture in Sydney has become a coffee enjoyed by people around the world.

And for Gus, there is something very special about knowing that he was there during those early years — learning, developing, experimenting and helping bring the craftsmanship behind the Flat White to a wider audience.

“It still makes me smile when I see Flat White on a coffee menu around the world.”

Today

Today, through Borough Roast, Gus continues that journey.

Bringing together more than 30 years of experience as a barista, café owner, coffee specialist and industry professional, he continues to focus on quality, craftsmanship, sourcing, roasting and the development of exceptional coffee, He says.. " Watching people enjoy their coffee, their eyes light up when they have it, their feedback: I say, Its a great cup of coffee to you but a reputation to me and that is why I give my customers the best.

Gus:

30+ Years in Coffee | Barista | Coffee Specialist | Micro Roaster | Coffee Entrepreneur

1992 — Flat White

1994 — Coffee Art

2011 — World Record

Today — Borough Roast