Dario Pieber, Switzerland
Rent a Barista
Please tell us a little about yourself:
I am the co-CEO and roaster at Rent a Barista in Switzerland. We run multiple coffee shops, our own roastery, and work a lot with events, education, and product development. Alongside that, I also run my personal brand where I design barista tools and teach latte art.
I have been competing in latte art for about eight years now. Over that time, competitions became a huge part of my personal and professional development.
I started working as a barista while studying, and very quickly realized that coffee combined everything I enjoy: craftsmanship, creativity, people, and hospitality. One thing led to another, and what started as a student job turned into a lifelong passion and career.
Fun Fact: Before competitions, I usually stop drinking caffeine for a few weeks, even though I am surrounded by coffee all day. I also sketch most of my latte art designs on an iPad before ever pouring them. And when I am not practicing, I am probably hanging out with my British Shorthair cat, Chanel.
What are you excited to do while you are in San Diego?
I am really excited to spend time in San Diego — especially being close to the ocean. I am looking forward to going for runs along the coast, enjoying good food, and soaking up the relaxed vibe before and after competition days. I am also excited to explore the local coffee scene and get inspired by the city’s energy.
What are your interests outside of coffee?
Outside of coffee, I am really into endurance sports, especially running and cycling — they help me clear my head and stay focused. I also enjoy traveling, design, and anything creative, from sketching ideas to working on product concepts. And when I am slowing things down, I love spending time with my cat Chanel and just recharging away from the noise.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
I would definitely like to thank my girlfriend Yae, who supports me in every possible way and puts up with my pretty mad training hours. Without her encouragement and patience, this would not be possible.
I also want to thank my close friend Greg Raymond for helping me with designs and always having my back, both creatively and mentally.
A huge thank you goes to Luke from Taiwan. We developed all of these patterns together here, and I am incredibly proud of what we created. I am deeply thankful for his support and friendship throughout this journey.
And of course, my business partner — for keeping the business running smoothly while I am here focusing on pouring some latte art.
