first

Buon Amici's Coffee... Victoria's Italian-style coffee house, originator of the "Table-Poured Latte and Cappuccino", now boasts Western Canada's Top Barista!


Listen to an interview with Scott Walker of CBC radio

What's the Press Saying?

In praise of better coffee
Victoria baristas score among the best in the business
Leah Collins and Matthew Kruchak, Times Colonist
Published: Friday, August 17, 2007
www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist

Derek Lucas has the traits of any successful professional athlete: He's focused, driven and determined. But his playing field is behind the coffee bar.

The owner of Buon Amici's Coffee at 110-645 Tyee Rd. is Western Canada's best barista. And he has the hardware to prove it. Lucas was one of three capital region coffee wizards to claim the top spots at Wednesday's Western Regional Barista Competition in Vancouver, with three other Victoria baristas placing in the upper ranks. It shows that Vancouver might have the reputation, but in fact it's Victoria that's the true Canadian coffee mecca. read more

Winners Announced for the Third Annual Canadian Western Regional Barista Competition
Canadian Barista & Coffee Academy

The battle for the Best Barista in the West has been determined at the third annual Eastern Region Canadian Barista Championship held on August 15, 2007 at Heritage Hall in Vancouver.

Derek Lucas, from Buon Amici’s Coffee in Victoria, BC., took the title of Western Regional Barista Champion. He won a trip to the finals of the Canadian National Barista Championship to be held at the Toronto Congress Centre September 16-17, 2007.

The event celebrates the skills of the barista; the consummate artist of the espresso machine. In competition, baristi have 15 minutes to prepare four servings each of espresso, cappuccino and a signature drink of their own invention for a panel of judges. read more

Victoria B.C. Best coffee in Canada?
Written by colin newell
coffeecrew.com

As a semi-professional observer of the Specialty Coffee phenomenon in North America, I meet a lot of very passionate people - I mean, the very best of the very best. And some of that most intense passion is right here in Victoria B.C. Canada.

Buon Amici Cafe owners Derek and Gina Lucas have all the qualities of virtually any randomly selected successful business people: They are intensely passionate about coffee, its origins, the people in the industry and yes, their devoted clientele.

Now Buon Amici's Coffee at 110-645 Tyee Rd. is the home to Western Canada's best barista. Derek has the experience and energy to back up the challenge. read more

Western Regional Barista Championship
Mark Prince
coffeegeek.com
August 18, 2007

First up was the third annual Western Regional Barista Championship, held at Heritage Hall in Vancouver on Wednesday, August 15. It was a popular event, with twelve competitors (compared to SEVEN in last year's national championship). The competitors were:

Ken Gordon - Habit Coffee & Culture (Vancouver Island)
Zachary Simon - Habit Coffee & Culture (Vancouver Island)
Stefan Morales - Soma (Vancouver)
Donald Wilson - Soma (Vancouver)
Layla Osburg - Blenz (Vancouver)
Ryan Crawford - Blenz (Vancouver)
Brette Richard - 2% Jazz (Vancouver Island)
Tiffany Malley - 2% Jazz (Vancouver Island)
Logan Gray - Discovery Coffee (Vancouver Island)
Paul Reimer - Discovery Coffee (Vancouver Island)
Cady Pei - Wicked Café (Vancouver Island)
Derek Lucas - Buon Amici's Coffee (Vancouver Island)

The competition was tight in staging and execution - 12 competitors, one set of judges, spittoon cups required. All the baristas who competed represented well, and it was so good to see so many new faces compete. I have to give a special shoutout to Cady Pei for representing Wicked Café in their first competition entry, and to Layla Osburg and Ryan Crawford for representing a fairly sizable BC chain for the first time. (No word on whether there was another huge cash prize up for grabs via Blenz and their entered Baristas, though I wouldn't be surprised if there were.) It was also good to see Soma Café step up - there's a recent push there to amp up their coffee presentation, and entering these competitions is part of the process.

In the end, the top six was a mild surprise, but a very pleasing one. Derek Lukas of Buon Amici Cafe in Victoria took first place with a very polished and well presented performance, Logan Gray from Discovery Coffee, also in Victoria, took a close (1 point behind) second place. Cady Pei, an absolutely fantastic barista in Vancouver, (formerly of Artigiano, currently with Wicked) took fourth, and I gotta tell you, she's definitely one of my fave baristas in town to get a shot from. I hope she goes on to the National competition in Toronto this fall to try again.

Buon Amici's Revisited
Written by Adam Tindale
Buon Amici's Cafe - Drop-in
coffeecrew.com

Victoria is a great place for the coffee enthusiast. There are numerous small caffes and roasteries that succeed in bringing top quality coffee to the customer. This summer we lost our Torrefazione but some new cafes have come into play to fill the void.

Enter Buon Amici's Cafe. Good food and good coffee - could you ask for anything more?

Buon Amici delivers. I have had one drop in visit for lunch and was pleasantly surprised. I had a fresh sandwich on foccacia served hot.

Coffee shop food isn't normally this good - a very pleasant surprise. read more

Earls of the Sandwich
Written By Eric Akis
Times Colonist

These deli specialists have the best things between sliced bread

It was the closest Best of the Island readers poll yet, with the top five vote getters all holding the top spot at various stages as the submissions rolled in.

"I would like cast my vote for a new restaurant/coffee venue that few have yet to discover... my gain... their loss. I believe that Buon Amici's Coffee makes the best grilled panini, my favorite being the "the Hawaiian," Of course the entire coffee and dining experience at Buon Amici's leaves little, if anything wanting," added Asia Moore. read more

Special Teas
Written By Eric Akis
Times Colonist

Victoria steeped in great places for a relaxing cuppa

The name Vancouver Island could easily be changed to Tea Island after leafing through the immense pile of reader submissions on where to get the best cup of Tea.

Buon Amici's finished fifth in the voting. Jean Buydens noted the Mighty Leaf Brand African Nectar tea they brew is exceptional. "What makes it special is the combination of spices and herbs that make an interesting and delightful taste," said Buydens, adding that she also likes the friendly atmosphere of the owners and servers and the homey decor of the establishment. read more

Buon Amici's Cafe - Victoria
Written by Colin Newell
CoffeeCrew.Com

Derek and Gena (and their team of beautiful coffee people) at Buon Amici's feel, it's in the ambience... and in the food... and in the physical space. Truth be told, Buon Amici's wins hands down in the physical space category. Why? Go there and find out. Some of the Buon Amici magic defies a word description. Trust me.