![MR-ESPRESSO-1](https://www.baristamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/MR-ESPRESSO-1.jpg)
Luigi Di Ruocco
Vice President
Mr. Espresso
Oakland, California
What other coffee jobs have you had?
[Before taking a position with Mr. Espresso, Luigi was the founder and president of Coffee Bar in San Francisco]
These are the only two jobs in coffee I’ve ever had. Mr. Espresso is my family’s business, so I grew up in and around the business working summers in shipping and receiving, delivery, and repair. Coffee Bar was founded in 2007 where I worked semi-regular shifts as a barista for the first 4 years of operation.
What’s your favorite part about working in coffee?
Being involved and part of the overall specialty food community; coffee is just one piece of the bigger picture.
![Luigi's family company is Mr. Espresso, where he serves as Vice President. Mr. Espresso is a beloved Bay Area institution known for oak wood roasted coffee. Photo by Nader Khouri](http://baristamagazine.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/MR-ESPRESSO-4-300x198.jpg)
Where do you ideally see yourself in 10 years?
In the same place I am now ”working with my family at Mr. Espresso every day to continue to evolve our unique vision, and hopefully have a few more Coffee Bar locations by then too.
Who and what inspires you?
Hard-working people.
![Luigi serves the crowd at the Bryant Coffee Bar location.](http://baristamagazine.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/BACC-Final-300x244.jpg)
What are you drinking right now?
For espresso, our Neapolitan Espresso; it’s an everyday thing. For coffee, I’ve been drinking our Colombia El Bado micro-lot.
What do you do when you’re not doing coffee?
I like to travel, eat out, exercise, read, and spend time with my family and friends.
![The Di Ruocco family at the Mr. Espresso facility in Oakland. From left to right: Laura Zambrano (Luigi's sister), Alex Zambrano (Laura's husband), Marie-Francoise Di Ruocco (Luigi's mother), Carlo Di Ruocco (Luigi's father), Luigi, and John Di Ruocco (Luigi's brother). Photo by Nader Khouri](http://baristamagazine.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/MR-ESPRESSO-2-300x215.jpg)
Tell us something people would be surprised to find out about you.
Despite my name, Luigi, and appearances, I’m half French. Our mother is French