Project Description
Australia
Hugh Kelly
ONA Coffee
Please tell us a little bit about yourself:
I run training and work in Quality Control at ONA Coffee in Australia and I’ve been involved in the coffee industry for 8-9 years. I am also involved in the San Remo World Academy.
What are you excited to do while you are in Seoul?:
See some Buddhist temples and eat Korean BBQ.
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
About 8 years competing with the most notable competitions and placings being:
Australian Barista Championships 2017 – 1st Place
World Barista Championships 2016 – 8th Place
Australian Barista Championships 2016 – 1st Place
Australian Barista Championships 2015 – 4th Place
Australian Barista Championships 2014 – 5th Place
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WBC?:
Sasa Sestic for being an amazing mentor and giving me the opportunity to prepare with no restrictions. Sam Corra for roasting amazing coffee. Hidenori Izaki for also being an amazing mentor and helping me step up my preparation. The whole ONA Coffee team that supported me in my preparations. My partner Kestin for helping me fine tune details of my presentation and also being a support at home.
How do you see the coffee industry changing in the future?:
I see systems allowing us to control coffee taste to a much higher and more consistent level. This is going to change the role of the barista to having a greater emphasis on palate development and communication.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:
Sharing what I have learned with my experience in ONA Coffee and the rest of the industry with people in different markets.
What are your interests outside of coffee?:
I really enjoy wine and also cooking which was an interest that in a way lead me to coffee. I also love skiing, watching sport and also documentaries.
