The La D. MultiBoiler at the heart of a competition bringing together the world’s best

baristas. The historic Italian company confirms its commitment to celebrating espresso

excellence and professional skills.

 

Nei Pavletič is the winner of the Espresso Italiano Champion 2026 international final, held on

6 November at Factory 1895 by Lavazza in Settimo Torinese.

 

The final

 

The competition, promoted by the Istituto Espresso Italiano (IEI), brought together some of

the best international baristas, challenged to prepare the perfect Italian espresso and

cappuccino. Supporting the event as Technology Partner, La San Marco provided

competitors with its professional three-group La D. MultiBoiler machine.

 

The company’s involvement made a key contribution to the running of the competition,

where equipment precision, consistent performance and control of extraction parameters are

essential to allow baristas to showcase their skills at their best.

 

The finalists were Takuya Yanagita, winner of the Japanese selection; Matteo Colzani, 2026

Italian champion; Hiroto Suzuki, winner of the international selection organised by Lavazza;

Kim Gyu Wan, winner of the Korean selection; and Nei Pavletič from Slovenia, who qualified

through Essse Caffè’s international selection.

 

Competitors had to demonstrate technical mastery, sensory sensitivity and the ability to

manage every stage of preparation. The jury evaluated the drinks according to the quality

criteria set by the Istituto Espresso Italiano, in a contest where even the smallest details

helped decide the outcome.

 

The La D. MultiBoiler in competition

 

The La D. MultiBoiler supported every round, giving competitors technology designed to

meet the demands of professional coffee service. Independent temperature management for

each group, thermal stability and precise adjustments allow baristas to accurately control

extraction conditions and adapt them to the characteristics of the coffee being used.

 

A well-established partnership

 

La San Marco’s presence at the international final confirms its long-standing collaboration

with the Istituto Espresso Italiano. In 2024 the company supported the Milan final, while in

2025 the competition took place directly at its exhibition space at Host Milano. In the 2026

Italian selections too, La D. MultiBoiler technology accompanied Matteo Colzani’s victory.

 

Two days of competition and coffee culture

 

This year’s edition took place over two days. On 5 November the competitors took part in a

programme dedicated to coffee culture, with visits to several Turin coffee shops and the

Lavazza Museum, plus an equipment preparation session. The international final took place

on 6 November, ending with the award ceremony.

 

For La San Marco, being among the partners of an event of this calibre means helping to

celebrate the skills of professionals and to spread Italian espresso culture around the world.

The competition was also an opportunity to show MultiBoiler technology performing in the

field, in a context where reliability, precision and repeatability of results are especially

important.

 

Congratulations to Nei Pavletič and to all the finalists. See you next time!

Founded in 1920 and now part of SEB Professional, La San Marco continues to develop

professional espresso machines that combine manufacturing experience with technological

innovation. Its collaboration with Espresso Italiano Champion is part of this journey,

confirming the company’s role alongside professionals and international initiatives dedicated

to espresso quality.