A café owner who opened her first business in a hospital has celebrated a year of building a “bond” with patients and staff. 

Federica Federico opened Mileto Caffé in the Royal Free Hospital's Pears Building, in Rosslyn Hill, Belsize Park, last year.

On May 2 she threw a party with live music and prosecco for her customers – with her parents flying in from Rome for the occasion.

Many of Federica's customers are hospital patients or visitors, and she spoke of the importance of building a relationship with people who may be unwell or upset.

Ham & High: Federica Federico with her parents Giuseppe and Antonella as she celebrates Mileto Caffé's first anniversaryFederica Federico with her parents Giuseppe and Antonella as she celebrates Mileto Caffé's first anniversary (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

"When patients come in here instead of being in the hospital, you can see they are emotional," she said.

"They come for treatments, maybe every week, or three months so you get to know them. They want to get out of an environment of sick people.

"Nurses and doctors come over. The party is a nice way to treat them.

"When you go to a coffee chain you don't see a bond with the barista. I like to create a bond with people."

Ham & High: Federica Federico, founder of Mileto Caffe in Belsize Park, giving a speech as she celebrates the first anniversary of her independent businessFederica Federico, founder of Mileto Caffe in Belsize Park, giving a speech as she celebrates the first anniversary of her independent business (Image: RFH)

Federica, who lives in Golders Green, prides herself on her fresh ingredients such as burrata.

Mileto serves a signature avocado toast, and since its launch last year now offers hot food including soup and lasagna.

The 33-year-old also serves her own Faith In Coffee brand, producing 30kg of coffee a day with her roaster in West Hampstead and offering a delivery service for customers across London and beyond.

Ham & High: Federica Federico with two of her staff Raquel (left) and Joselin at the first anniversary celebrations at Mileto CafféFederica Federico with two of her staff Raquel (left) and Joselin at the first anniversary celebrations at Mileto Caffé (Image: Federica Federico)

"It's been good, I'm very happy," said Federica, who employs four part-time staff. "It's not easy running a business like this with so many chains nearby but if you are constant with quality and customer service which the customers know I focus on, people understand that.”

Her parents Giuseppe and Antonella, who owned a cafe in Rome, said they were very proud of their "brave" daughter.

Ham & High: Federica Federico with her parents Giuseppe and Antonella Federico who flew over from Rome to attend Mileto Caffe's first anniversary owned by their daughterFederica Federico with her parents Giuseppe and Antonella Federico who flew over from Rome to attend Mileto Caffe's first anniversary owned by their daughter (Image: Federica Federico)

Giuseppe said: "We are happy about the goal she has reached in one year and her many good relationships with people because it comes from us."

The café leases the premises from the Royal Free Hospital Charity.

Its chief executive Jon Spiers said: “It was always our intention when designing the Pears Building that it would be an inviting space for our local community, so we’re delighted to see Federica’s venture go from strength to strength over the last year. 

“Visitors to Mileto Caffe can be confident that they’re not only getting superb coffee from a local independent business but supporting their local NHS charity as well.”