I’m a 4th generation coffee farmer based in Guatemala. I’m a Mechanical Engineer and really passionate about experimentation and coffee.
What are you excited to do while you are in Amsterdam?:
Visiting specialty coffee shops, Van Gogh and Rijks museum and Keukenhof gardens
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
2018 Guatemala Nation Barista Competition – 1st Place
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WBC?:
My family, our family farm Concepción Buena Vista, Atenea Kairé, Renato Maselli, Felix Basir, Manuel Valentino, Tecnochef Guatemala, Anacafé.
How do you see the coffee industry changing in the future?:
Coffee producers will have a closer relationship with consumers, coffee farms will start investigating and experimenting with fermentation and drying techniques, and roasting profiles will be more accurate depending on the new fermentation process coming.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:
I hope to help Guatemalan and Central American coffee farms experiment and improve their fermentation techniques. I’d also like to be a latin american coffee figure point and an inspiration to upcoming baristas.
I’m Jonathan Mendoza, the 2018 El Salvador Barista Champion 2018. I’m 23 years old and from Sonsonate, El Salvador. I work in quality control and also as a barista. My favorites hobbies are taking picture, playing video games, listening to music, and drawing. I also love pets!
What are you excited to do while you are in Amsterdam?:
Looking forward to new experiences, knowledge, and culture.
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
I participated in the national competition in 2017, and I won third place. This year I participated again and won first place. Now I’m the 2018 El Salvador Barista Champion.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WBC?:
I have to say thank you so much to my coach — my brother, who supported me and taught me his knowledge and the passion for this industry. Also a huge thanks to my family who’ve helped me a lot.
How do you see the coffee industry changing in the future?:
We know this industry is changing every day because we are finding the best cup of coffee with different techniques, processes, origins, roast profiles and tools — who knows how the industry will look in the future?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:
I’m currently studying industrial engineering, so in less than 5 years I will be an engineer. I hope to apply my chemistry and math knowledge in the process to get better flavors in the cup.
I am father to my son, Esteban Valero. I work in the training area of Juan Valdez Café. I am currently completing my 7th semester in business administration.
What are you excited to do while you are in Amsterdam?:
What I am most excited to do while I am in Amsterdam is to get to know specialty coffees from around the world, learning from other cultures and having the chance to eat Dutch cheese in Holland.
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
Colombian National Barista Championship 2010 – 8th Place
Colombian National Barista Championship 2011 – 2nd Place
Colombian National Barista Championship 2012 – 1st Place
Colombian National Barista Championship 2013 – 5th Place
Colombian National Barista Championship 2015 – 2nd Place
Colombian National Barista Championship 2016 – 2nd Place
Colombian National Barista Championship 2017 – 1st Place
World Barista Championship 2013 – 29th Place, Round One
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WBC?:
My family is my main motivation; I also have an excellent team composed of coffee growers, trainers and friends.
What are your interests outside of coffee?:
Spending time with my son, who’s my inspiration, watching classic movies, and going to watch my favorite football team are other interests I have besides coffee.
My grandfather owns a coffee farm and most of my childhood was with him but I never had any interest in learning about coffee. With this background, I was shocked to have coffee change my life in such a transformative and exciting way, especially because i never took notice of it or even liked its taste. I am now a proud barista at Sankara Nairobi and I take every day as an opportunity to change people’s perspective on coffee just as mine was changed.
What are you excited to do while you are in Amsterdam?:
Indulge in its coffee tradition!
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
2016 Kenya National Barista Championship – 17th Place
2016 Latte Art Throwdown – 1st Runner-Up
2017 Kenya National Barista Championship – 5th Place
2017 Aeropress Championship – 5th Place
2018 Kenya National Barista Championship – Winner
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WBC?:
Sankara Nairobi, Nairobi School of Coffee, and Dormans Coffee.
How do you see the coffee industry changing in the future?:
It will move from a quantitative commodity to a qualitative experience with deeper awareness and a seamless connection from farmer to barista to consumer.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:
As a brand ambassador for speciality coffees in Africa connecting farmers and barista.
What are your interests outside of coffee?:
Watching and playing Soccer. Watching movies. Travelling.
I have worked in coffee for around 14 years, I started in Australia then moved to the UK. The last few years have been dedicated to equipment design and consulting and for the last year working on my own brand Gorilla Gear designing aftermarket burrs.
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
2009 UK Barista Championship – 14th Place
2009 UK Latte Art Championship – 1st Place
2009 World Latte Art Championship – Finalist, 6th Place
2010 UK Barista Championship – 1st Place
2010 World Barista Championship – 14th Place, Round One
2011 UK Barista Championship – 1st Place
2011 World Barista Championship – Finalist, 6th Place
2013 UK Barista Championship – 1st Place
2013 World Barista Championship – Semi-finalist, 10th Place
2014 UK Barista Championship – 4th Place
2018 NZ Barista Championships – 1st Place
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WBC?:
Maynah, my girlfriend. Hannah, Xin & Akio – Catalyst Coffee, Auckland NZ. Sam Corra – Ona Coffee. Sasa, Yanina & Habib – Project Origin.
I love my job, because it’s a language that unites people around the world, and we prove it.
Are you excited to be in Amsterdam?:
Oh, sure! After all, this is a very big responsibility.
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
2015 Russian Barista Championship – 2nd Place
2016 Russian Barista Championship – 4th Place
2017 Russian Barista Championship – 2nd Place
2018 Russian Barista Championship – 1st Place
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WBC?:
Yes! My mother, my boyfriend Dmitriy Marichev, my coach Dmitriy Boroday, and everyone at DoubleB Coffee&Tea company.
How do you see the coffee industry changing in the future?:
I think that the trends for the taste of coffee will change from year to year, which will lead to development in various experimental fermentations, but the classic elegance and rich taste of coffee will always exist in the future. I think the freezing of coffee will still be 5-10 years very popular.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:
I’d hope to be opening my own coffee shop and start working on a plantation, doing experimental treatments.
What are your interests outside of coffee?:
I like to take care of indoor plants, to cook, sing and play sports.
As a student at the University of Melbourne, I was introduced to the world of specialty coffee and fell in love with Australia’s coffee culture. After 6 fun years of travelling the world and tasting coffees from various countries, I joined the Strangers’ Reunion group in Singapore to take my passion for coffee to the next level. I am currently co-founder of a newly-opened cafe named Wakey Wakey, and am also the Head Roaster, Barista and Manager of the Strangers’ Reunion group of cafes.
What are you excited to do while you are in Amsterdam?:
I am looking forward to meeting and sharing with everyone at WBC. Hopefully, there will be time to explore and revisit areas of Amsterdam that I miss so much, and indulge in some of Amsterdam’s finest foods!
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
Singapore National Barista Championship 2018 – 1st Place
Singapore National Barista Championship 2016 – 4th Place
Singapore National Barista Championship 2015 – 2nd Place
Singapore National Barista Championship 2014 – 4th Place
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WBC?:
This would all be impossible without the support of my amazing family – my husband, and mother for holding the fort back home while I train; and my awesome team from Strangers’ Reunion, especially my coaches Ryan Tan and Kammie Hui. I am extremely lucky to also have the support of the Singapore Coffee Association, and sponsors and friends from all over the world who so generously give me advice, ideas, and words of encouragement.
How do you see the coffee industry changing in the future?:
Advances in technology will improve coffee quality, but I hope that the human touch will remain relevant and vital.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:
Continuing my coffee journey, and travelling even more!
I’ve worked at MOMOS COFFEE, as a barista and a trainer for 11 years. I enjoy sharing good coffee culture with younger baristas as a teacher. I’ve participated in the Korea National Barista Championship 7 times in the last 10 years—finally, I am on the WBC stage as representing Korean National Barista Champion.
What are you excited to do while you are in Amsterdam?:
Above all, the thing I’m looking forward to most in Amsterdam is to be on the WBC stage. It’s been my dream for a long long time since I started my job.
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
2018 Korea National Barista Championship – 1st Place
2015 Korea National Barista Championship – 3rd Place
2014 Korea National Barista Championship – 2nd Place
2014 Fushan Cup International Barista Championship – 3rd Place
2013 Korea National Barista Championship – 2nd Place
2013 World Roaster & Barista Championship Barista Award – 2nd Place
2011 Korea National Barista Championship – Semi-finalist
2010 Korea National Barista Championship – Semi-finalist
2009 Korea National Barista Championship – Semi-finalist
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WBC?:
First of all, I would like to thank Hyunki, our boss in MOMOS COFFEE. He has always been my biggest supporter for the last 10 years, since I started as a barista. I want to thank Jeongsoo, my colleague and coach in Korea. Team MOMOS also gives great encouragement to me as I prepare for WBC. And I would say thank you to Federico who have taught me so enthusiastically for my perfect presentation.
How do you see the coffee industry changing in the future?:
I think the coffee industry will continue to be divided into two segments for a while. This phenomenon will affect not only coffee producing countries but also coffee consuming countries. For the former, the market will require them to draw more attention to coffee farms, to have higher cultivation control (terroir, fertilizer, etc.), and also to increase production capacity. In consuming countries, automatic coffee machines will gradually change the market situation—eventually lowering labor costs but giving great quality, so that customer will increasingly choose them. On the other hand, there is will be more demand for specialty coffee, which will require higher barista expertise and service. We will soon see many specialty coffee bars around the world which will be very similar to fine dining restaurants. It might cause a little confusion of our industry for a while. However it will also bring new opportunities for all of us.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:
As always, I will still be making coffee and sharing the moment with those who love it. I hope I keep up the basics in everything I do, and continue to have a lot of passion.
What are your interests outside of coffee?:
I’ve become interested in travel recently. It has become my hobby to find travel information, photos of beautiful places and collect lovely goods to have a good time while travelling.
I am from Istanbul. My coffee journey stared 5 years ago, when I understood coffee was going to be my passion, and that completely changed my life. I am now living in Qatar with my husband now. I worked here in a speciality coffee shop called Flat White , this is the first speciality coffee shop in Qatar and I am proud of being part of this experience.
What are you excited to do while you are in Amsterdam?:
I will be very excited to meet new people and taste new coffees and foods. Also I want to visit the Van Gogh Museum.
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
2014 National Barista Championship – 2nd Place
2015 National Barista Championship – 4th Place
2016 National Barista Championship – 2nd Place
2017 National Barista Championship – 2nd Place
2018 National Barista Championship – 1st Place
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WBC?:
My coach Patrik Ralf, from April Coffee Roastery. He is an excellent guide to me. I am very lucky to have him. I must say this, without my husband’s support and without my team at Flat White, that would be not real.
How do you see the coffee industry changing in the future?:
I hope many coffee shop owners will see that this is not only business, and they support baristas to offer different varieties of coffee and serve better quality to their guest. I believe that we will see more successful female baristas as well.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:
Still with coffee and sharing my experiences to all coffee lovers.
What are your interests outside of coffee?:
I love art and I have small project in Qatar. I draw and customise coffee cups for coffee lovers.
Guatemala
Guatemala
El Salvador
Colombia
Kenya
New Zealand
Russia
South Korea
Uganda
Turkey
