HE was one half of UK storage duo Suave Dodger, and helped launch the profession of Craig David, however nowadays Pete Devereux spends extra time behind the counter of his espresso store than behind the decks.
Pete’s enterprise Deveroast goes from energy to energy, lower than 4 months after it opened at Botley Mills, the historic web site of a Hampshire milling firm which now additionally supplies retail models for greater than 40 native companies.
With the strapline ‘the suave roaster’, music does after all characteristic with different music station BBC 6 Music a relentless fixture within the background.
READ MORE: Roasts for dogs and candlelit dinners at community-owned pub
However actually it is all about very good espresso in a spectacular setting. Pete hand roasts speciality grade, sustainable, and ethically sourced espresso on-site weekly.
Clients flock to the stripped-back 300-year-old former engine room of the mill for a cup of the signature Outdated Engine Room mix served with native cows or oat milk alongside a domestically baked cake or cookie.
Tucked away beside the River Hamble, Deveroast has additionally turn out to be a mecca for aficionados wanting a high espresso from Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador or Rwanda to take pleasure in at residence.
The fledgling enterprise was first dreamed up in the course of the first Covid lockdown.
Pete, who lives in Bitterne Park, has a next-door neighbour who runs SOroast and delivered espresso provides to see him by the grim weeks forward.
Son Eli, now 14, advised his Dad flip his newfound love for roasting espresso right into a enterprise throughout a lockdown stroll and even got here up with the identify Deveroast, a play on their surname.
“I’ve at all times cherished espresso, however by no means dreamed of working with it, so I’ve Coid to thank for this.
“It was a lightbulb second actually and the whole lot has come collectively since. I want I would completed it ten years in the past.”
It would not have been attainable with out the assist of Pete’s girlfriend Kelly Jane, who runs her personal enterprise however can typically be discovered serving to out behind the counter at weekends.
Deveroast boasts indoor and out of doors seating on reclaimed furnishings, together with the upcycled authentic door.
Pete can be engaged on some rediscovered music which is about for launch in 2023.
As a part of Suave Dodger, with Mark Hill, Pete was one of many figureheads of the UK storage motion. Their 1999 monitor Re-Rewind with Craig David reached quantity two within the charts.
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