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Issue link: http://baristamagazine.epubxp.com/i/216819
MASTER Paolo Dalla Corte Espresso Machine Revolutionary Interview by Sarah Allen ON A CHILLY MORNING in May in the center of Milan, Paolo Dalla Corte, 54, sidled up to one of his namesake company's espresso machines and began to work. He is quiet and thoughtful, with a shy smile and a gentle demeanor, and because of this, the 50 baristas surrounding him didn't notice him right away. The baristas were gathered at Dalla Corte's workshop for DC Campus, a three-day annual activity sponsored by Dalla Corte for the national champions in the World Coffee Events' Latte Art Championship and Coffee In Good Spirits Championship. DC Campus is an opportunity for the baristas to come together to practice and build community. It's something very special. In fact, the World Latte Art and World Coffee In Good Spirits Championships wouldn't exist without Dalla Corte—that is the degree to which the espresso machine manufacturer supports it both financially and organically. Soon, the baristas notice this power in their midst: Paolo Dalla Corte himself on one of the company's new Evo machines. They creep up to him, gather around the machine, and watch with great interest. To them, he is a hero. That such an unassuming man could have changed the espresso machine industry in one fell swoop is quite amazing. Paolo is gentle and kind, and quite introverted. Ask him about espresso machine technology, however, and he emerges with force. Paolo can talk for hours about the groundbreaking engineering for which he and Dalla Corte are known. Dalla Corte is a familiar brand around the world, except—until recently—in the United States. But the company is making a push in www.baristamagazine.com 79