Meet Rolando Rosario of Department Coffee in Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rolando Rosario.

Rolando, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My love for hospitality started seventeen years ago in the beautiful city that is New York. I started right out of high school working in chic restaurants like “The Rocking Horse Café” in Chelsea where I got to work alongside with chef Melendez and an amazing family of characters as a Maitre’d and then a floor manager for a total of five years. There I met my now mentor Duane Fernandez Jr. the man who developed my palate and showed the “way”.

I was introduced to spices that I’ve never experienced before, a new beautiful culture. It was a great time for me, I learned how to operate a restaurant while still maintaining its identity.

After that, I quickly caught the bug as my friends in the industry kept reminding me, the bartending bug that is. I started tending bars all over New York City restaurant scene. I was invited to represent spirits like Bombay Sapphire in most imaginative bartender competition, Hennessy Vs in Uptown battle of bars, Smirnoff Vodka for BET “master of the mix” reality show, Veev Açaí Liquor, Bacardi and many more.

After working with a different spirit, I embarked on a new adventure with event planner as well as bar consultant to some recommended places by my previous liquor representatives who I still have strong working relationships even in Miami.

To me, it has always come down to those people who always showed me something new and vice-versa.
“Guadalupe” Chef Geraldo
“La Hispaniola” Chef Núñez
“Covo Trattoria” Chef Arsenio

“Paradigm Kitchen” Chef Paco

“El Tiesto Café” Chef Nishio

To mention a few of my favorite chefs I’ve been lucky to work with in the past. Apart from my amazing mom and foundation, they have really shaped me to be the person I am today professionally.

On my move to new horizons, I decided Miami should be next. First thing on my plate was coffee, I had the pleasure of working for Matt Sherman and his amazing venue “Paradigm Kitchen” a new challenge for nightlife Rolo. I once again learned about the shift in food, nutrient-dense food at its best.

I then embarked on a fun rollercoaster ride “El Tiesto Cafe” and “El Otro Tiesto Cafe”  Dominican Japanese Fusion restaurant in Miami and Pembroke Pines with owner Wilkins Castillo and Chef Nishio.

I then met Eric Bourdeux with an interesting opportunity, nitro mocktails. Department Coffee propriety method for cold brew nitro has elevated the coffee game, Nitro Cold Brew and Nitro Cold Steep Teas. I love creating Nitro Mock-tails, “Tres Leche” our take on the traditional Vietnamese coffee with a Miami twist or some of our crowd favorites “Cold brew Lemonade” our take on the Arnold Palmer with a kick  “Jalapeño Biscus” our Hibiscus Nitro Tea Margarita with jalapeño syrup and fresh lime. I like that thru everything we make you can see the love we put behind everything.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I would have to say I smile thru everything and approach everything hands-on. I always make sure to “leave it at the door” and push thru any obstacle. If I can’t on a bad day I fake it, it’s the New Yorker in me.

We’d love to hear more about business.
I am the Vice President and director of mixology for Department Coffee. I develop mocktail recipes utilizing our proprietary nitro brews as well as training new partners on how to recreate them. I showcase all our brews and mocktails at different farmer’s markets and catered events. On the weekends we can be found in Hollywood’s Yellow Green Farmers Market, we also host a monthly night market “Dania after dark” in Dania Beach as well as connecting with catering companies like A Joy Wallace. I really love our consistent products and take on coffee, it’s really something beautiful made out of love.

I think our coffee program satisfies everyone who’s looking to have a refreshing cold brew with zero acidity and delicious every time. Worth every smile.

What were you like growing up?
I was always that kid with the cool shoes and funky looks. I have four older siblings, three sisters and one brother. I was born in New York but was lucky to have grown up in the beautiful island of Dominican Republic.

I am always so happy when I think back on my upbringings in Santo Domingo where I learned all about fresh food and the tropical lifestyle. I remember growing up wearing converse with my united colors of Benetton overalls thinking I was killing it. My first love was fashion but hospitality took over and now I smile in a good outfit.

Contact Info:

• Website: departmentcoffee.com
• Email: rolo@departmentcoffee
• Instagram: Rololoko
• Other: @dptcoffee

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