Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar in Melbourne farewells beloved server Rocco Eliche after 50 years

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Melbourne loves coffee and for 50 years one man has been helping refine that passion at one of the city’s most famous cafes, called Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar. But today, one of the CBD’s most beloved baristas has called least drinks.

Transcript

00:00Tying his apron for the final time.

00:05I've done the 50's, I don't want to do 51 or 52, 50 is beautiful, nice.

00:10One of Pellegrini's longest serving staff has become an institution in his own right.

00:16Rocky's part of the furniture here.

00:18He's Rocco, down the end of the bar with his moustache and a big smile saying welcome to everyone.

00:22The cafe had one of the first espresso machines in Melbourne when it opened in 1954.

00:2820 years later, Rocco steps behind the counter as a 21 year old, fresh from the shores of southern Italy, and he never left.

00:37This is my second home. I spend more time here than at home.

00:41The job has been filled with the highs of shaking hands with celebrities like Russell Crowe and meeting the love of his life.

00:48I said to Marie, you do the job in the kitchen, I do the job in the bar.

00:52You do the cooking, I serve the customer. And we worked together for 34 years.

00:57But he's also endured tragedy.

00:59His long time boss, Sisto Malaspina, died in a knife attack on Bourke Street in 2018.

01:06Number one. Sisto for me is like a brother.

01:09Now he says it's time to slow down.

01:12Today, my last day, you see me and you'll never see me again.

01:18But not everyone is so sure.

01:21I'll give him two months because I'm still waiting to hear what he plans to do with all of his free time.

01:26Last week, the City of Melbourne presented Rocco with an award for his 50 years of service.

01:31But he says the conversation and smiles from customers will always be his true prize.

01:37Thank you very much.

01:39The end of an era for one of Melbourne's most steadfast servers.

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