In her time with Villino, Suzy has brought so much to both our venues, and our coffee roasting operations. A true coffee nerd, with a boundless and infectious enthusiasm for each step in the coffee production and service journey.We're super excited to have her stepping up to Head our Wholesale Sales and Support operations, bringing along all of her years of experience and passion for the industry, to continue building up the local coffee community. When she's not brewing up a storm (or winning the Australian Aeropress Championship), you'll find her tending to her growing flock on a small farm in the picturesque Derwent Valley.

How long have you worked at Villino?
I started in February of 2021, so three and a half years now.

Favourite part of working in the coffee industry?
Other than access to delicious coffee on tap... I'd have to say it's being able to experience the whole chain of events, from green coffee sourcing to customer feedback. 

Having input at the cupping table to influence the coffees we buy in, then working at nailing the roast to get that coffee to shine, and finally brewing it in the cafe and speaking about it with the customer, getting their feedback and imparting its journey to get to their cup. Any opportunity to geek out about coffee!

Go to coffee drink of choice?
It's got to be either a magic of batch brew at work or out and about. Or at home, a V60 or Kalita wave.

Do you have a favourite producer, coffee or producing country?
It changes depending on how I'm feeling! It's hard to go past a washed Ethiopian full of jasmine and tea notes.I really loved our recent single origin by Mr Bekele Gemeda from Worka in Yirgacheffe - it was everything I hope for in a morning coffee. I also particularly enjoy a well-executed honey processed Costa Rican coffee for its soft sweetness and juicy acidity. Not forgetting a natural Honduras or washed Ecuador...I like coffee.

Go to coffee-pairing snack?
Pain au chocolat, enough said.

Favourite Roastery/ Cafe Tunes?
If I'm in the cafe, I like something chilled with an upbeat feeling. Go to playlists include GoldFrapp and Glass Animals radio. If I'm roasting it will either be listening to a podcast (often chicken related), or getting heavier when it's cleaning time with some Metallica.

How do you like to spend your days off?
I have a small homestead, so most of my spare time if filled with cleaning chicken coops, hosing duck and goose houses, bee keeping, and gardening. When I'm not chilling with the doggos or hunting for eggs, I might be practicing yoga (if I can find a quiet room) or trialling new lipbalm recipes with our 'homegrown' beeswax.

Go to knock off?
A wee dram, or a glass of Primitivo.

Dream dinner date?
I love Templo and Bar Wa in Hobart, but also enjoy a BBQ on the deck if we get a rare warm evening!