FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the espresso cart requirements?

Everything is self-contained within our espresso carts. All we need from you is access to a standard 110 electrical outlet on a dedicated circuit. Once the cart is setup, we need a 7 foot by 4 and a half foot space in order to operate. The espresso cart is 4 feet in length prior to being setup and can easily fit in an elevator!

Where do you travel to?

We currently serve the greater Seattle area. We frequently serve in Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Bothell, Shoreline and Woodinville and we are willing to travel anywhere in Washington State. We do have a travel fee for any events outside of our normal delivery radius. Feel free to request a quote for specific pricing for your event!

What does the barista wear?

Our baristas dress professionally in all-black attire for espresso catering events unless otherwise requested.

How many drinks can be made per hour?

Our most skilled baristas can make up to 100 8oz drinks in an hour, which is the service capacity for the espresso machine. If you have a large event, we can provide multiple espresso carts and baristas to accommodate your group. We currently have 23 espresso carts available to be utilized in a single event; allowing us to serve around 2,000 drinks per hour! We love serving all groups, big or small.

If the cup size is larger than 8oz, the number of drinks per hour varies (ex: 75 drinks is our capacity per hour with 12oz cups!)

Can the cup size be increased?

We are happy to upgrade your cup size to 12oz for a nominal charge.

Can you provide references?

Some of our highly satisfied customers from include: 

“The barista was wonderful, very friendly and helpful to those of us that don't drink coffee on a regular basis, as well as everyone else. She made every cup with great expertise and they were quite pretty to look at as well. I had many comments by staff and attorneys about how good the coffee/drinks were.” -Perkins Coie

Do you have the necessary licenses and insurance?

We are fully licensed and insured with over $2,000,000 in liability insurance in order to protect you and your guests. Espresso Elegance has met and exceeded all the license requirements and will gladly provide you with documentation upon request. We do require 2 business days notice for a Certificate of Insurance, so please touch base as soon as you know so we can take care of that step for you!

Can you accommodate outdoor events?

Our equipment is designed for indoor service, but we’re happy to accommodate outdoor events on a case-by-case basis.

Regardless of the season, outdoor events require that clients provide adequate covering for the espresso cart and barista to protect against inclement weather and sun exposure. We offer a limited number of pop-up tents for an additional rental fee, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Outdoor events bring added charm — and added complexity. To support the additional planning and labor involved, we charge an Outdoor Event Fee. This fee helps offset:

• Higher wages paid to baristas working in variable weather and exposed conditions.

• Additional delivery time and logistics for nontraditional setup locations.

• Extra coordination time required by our planning team.

• Equipment recalibration due to fluctuating outdoor temperatures.

• Unforeseen challenges or expenses that commonly arise with outdoor service.

Client Requirements for Outdoor Events:

To ensure a safe and successful experience, the following must be provided by the client:

• Adequate covering to protect staff and equipment from the elements
  Pop-up tents are available to rent for an additional fee (separate from the Outdoor Event Fee)

• Access to power within 50 feet of the espresso cart setup
  Please note: electrical cords must not be exposed to rain

• Adequate lighting if your event takes place before sunrise or after sunset, so baristas can safely prepare beverages

• Heating if temperatures are expected to drop below 60°F during the event

• Cooling or an indoor location if temperatures are expected to be above 85°F during the event

Additional requirements may be added depending on the location and complexity of your event.

To protect our staff and equipment, our contract also requires access to a backup indoor location in case of severe weather conditions that make outdoor events unsafe — such as snow, freezing temperatures, strong winds, lightning, extreme heat, wildfire smoke, or unhealthy air quality.

Fall and Winter Events:
Outdoor events during colder months must be pre-approved prior to booking to ensure proper protection is available. This may include requirements for client-provided heating, full weather coverage, and lighting.

How is the espresso cart delivered?

The espresso cart is delivered in one of our three specialized delivery trucks, complete with a lift-gate that can accommodate loading docks as well as street loading zones. Our delivery team is committed to efficient delivery of our equipment with an estimated unload time of 15 minutes or less, causing little to no downtime for you and your staff.

Do you sell by the cup?

We specialize in hosted bar style services, and therefore are not equipped to collect cash or credit card payment at events. If you would like to sell drinks by the cup, you are welcome to have a representative from your event sell the drinks to offset the cost of the espresso catering service.

How can the espresso service be customized?

We love customizing our service to be unique to your event! Here are a few examples of how we have customized events in the past, feel free to get creative and add your own…

• Custom specialty drink menu in the colors or theme of the event.

• Serving your favorite espresso roast or favorite flavors (in addition to our standard ones).

• Branding the cups or cart with your event logo or monogram.

• Custom latte art to show your logo on top of foam!

Are you hiring?

We hiring on a rolling basis throughout the year, and are always looking for dependable, positive, coffee-loving folks to join our team. Feel free to send your resume and hours of availability to our Staffing Manager at info@espressoelegance.com. We'd love to learn about you!