Alfred Peet Passionate Cup – Piero Bambi , La Marzocco s.r.l.
As a very young man, Piero Bambi began working at La Marzocco, the Italian espresso machine manufacturer, as a technician and provided overall technical support to those working on the shop floor. In time, he dedicated energies to designing, first and for many years, machine components, electrical and hydraulic circuits, etc. and then, in 1989/1990, introduced the first machine designed entirely in his own hand – the Linea. He also patented the more innovative brewing technology related to the Linea.

When the company planned on moving to new, larger facilities in 1960, Piero, together, with a team of architects, designed the new facilities on the hills overlooking Florence and coordinated all aspects of building.

In addition to his technical and design talents, he began expending his energies to sales and exports. It is in this capacity that he opened the doors of La Marzocco to other members of the industry, to the gradually expanding number of roasters outside of Italy, to coffee lovers in general and, over the past 15 years, to the young and dynamic barista class to share his passion and dedication to and knowledge about espresso coffee, as well as share in fervent but friendly debate.

In 1994, Piero dedicated his own time to writing “Coffee Machines for Use in Bars” which, in addition to narrating the history of La Marzocco, provides solid advice that is still worth sharing today. Piero continues to play an important role in introducing new technology and/or design, is a master at problem solving on the shop floor and perhaps most importantly, bears witness to the history of the coffee industry itself.