Thailand
Athip Archalerttrakool
Factory Coffee

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

Hi, I’m Athip you can call me Man. I’ve being a barista for 5 years. I’m so proud to be representing Thailand, and I’m happy to join the 2018 World Barista Championship. I love you all, my coffee companions!

What are you excited to do while you are in Amsterdam?:

To meet new friends to experience a new culture.

Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:

2016 Thailand Indy Barista Championship
2018 Thailand National Barista Championship

Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WBC?:

My team at Factory Coffee, and everyone who has supported me in practicing and participating.

How do you see the coffee industry changing in the future?:

I think the coffee industry will look to science more. For me, as a barista, I want to create value in coffee.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

Older but still excited.

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

Music and sleeping.

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Switzerland
Mathieu Theis
MAME

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

I started my coffee journey as home barista. Step by step the hobby transformed into passion. 4 years ago, I started to compete in Barista. Since then the virus of coffee never left me. 1 year ago, I quit my job and opened a coffee shop in Zurich called MAME to transfer my passion of coffee to customers.

What are you excited to do while you are in Amsterdam?:

I love walking along the numerous canals in city, so I can’t wait to do that. Amsterdam has so many cool shop for Design, Clothes and of course cafés.

Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:

2015 Swiss Latte Art Championship – 1st Place
2016 Swiss Barista Championship – 1st Place
2016 WBC Dublin – 50th Place, Round One
2017 Swiss Barista Championship – 2nd Place
2018 Swiss Barista Championship – 1st Place

Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WBC?:

Since my coffee competition journey started, Emi Fukahori has always been behind me. She is also a Swiss Barista Champion which helps a lot. She has always supported me and made me a better barista. This year, I’ve asked Ben Put to help me improving my barista skills. Beyond the excellent expertise from Ben, he is also such a wonderful human being that I simply enjoy spending time with. Finally, I would like to thank all the friends / customers whose dedicated time to judge my routine, provide feedback and drank so much coffees.

How do you see the coffee industry changing in the future?:

The rise of stars in our industry is happening. I see more and more coffee tourism where coffee lovers go to Oslo to visit Tim Wendelboe or in LA to visit GO GET EM TIGER or in Taiwan to visit Simple Kaffa. This is, I think, great news as it triggers more recognition for our industry like the 3 star Michelin Chesf in restaurants. That path to excellence is a good news as it inspires people around the world to continue to grow.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

Still learning about coffees. I’ve so far explored only the Barista part but I would like to explore the other faces like Roasting and Farming.

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

I’m generally very interested on food and beverages. I’m particularly interested in bread, specifically in baguettes. It’s actually quite hard to make a good baguette 😉 I’m also interested in Japanese cuisine, I’m totally in love with Gyozas and Ramen which I try to make every Sunday.

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Portugal
Pedro Marmelo
Centro de Ciência do Café

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

I consider myself to be a simple, humble and a dedicated young man. I like to share joy and be happy, to think differently, to make unlikely things my new goals. The people I have met and the experiences that life has given me, have made me who I am today— I am happy. As a young barista I continue to have dreams and to work every day with a lot of motivation, dedication, giving part of me in everything I do.

What are you excited to do while you are in Amsterdam?:

Being with my family and friends that I have there, and being able to share with my professional family, a little of what I lived there.

Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:

2014 National Barista Championship in Portugal – 4th Place
2016 National Barista Championship in Portugal – 2nd Place
2017 National Barista Championship in Portugal – 1st Place

Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WBC?:

I am very proud to be able to thank my professional family who’ve accompany me on this journey and made this unique experience possible.

How do you see the coffee industry changing in the future?:

Coffee production will change in the future, which will create new realities, new markets and new needs. And I’m going to work and grow to be ready.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

I do not know where I will be in the future, but I have the dream of teaching, sharing knowledge and motivating other young people, for this art of being a barista and for the passion of coffee.

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

Spending time with my family, colleagues, friends and whenever the time allows me to travel in search of adventures and to know cultures.

Perú
Mauricio Rodriguez
Garabato – Neira

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

I was born in Apurimac, Peru. I have been making and studying coffee for the last 4 years. I have travelled around Perú, Colombia, and Brazil for the past 4 years, visiting farms and understanding coffee in all senses. Coffee is my life love.

What are you excited to do while you are in Amsterdam?:

Meet all the best Baristas in the world.

Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:

Copa Barista 2016 Brazil: 6/32.

Peruvian Barista Championship: 1/22

Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WBC?:

To all the Peruvian team.

How do you see the coffee industry changing in the future?:

The coffee industry has already changed a lot in recent years. Customers are now more demanding of quality and that is very important for the industry. We hope that producers receive more and better support to continue improving the quality of coffee.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

Being a world-class barista and trainer and with a coffee research laboratory in Peru.

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

Music and marketing.

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Poland
Agnieszka Rojewska
Full Pro Coffee

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

I’ve been making coffee for more than 10 years. I started in coffee shop chain then had my own coffee shop. As for now I work mostly as a coffee trainer.

What are you excited to do while you are in Amsterdam?:

Meeting all the great coffee people from all over the World.

Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:

2018 Polish Barista Champion

2018 Polish Latte Art Champion

2018 London Coffee Masters – Winner

2017 New York Coffee Masters – Runner-up

2017 World Latte Art Championship –  3rd Place

2017 Polish Brewers Cup – Runner-up

2017 Polish Latte Art Champion

2016 World Latte Art Battle, Seoul – Best Performance Award

2016 Polish Barista of the Year

2016 World Latte Art Championship – 5th Place

2016 Polish Barista Champion

2016 Dublin World Barista Championship – 34th Place, Round One

2015 Seattle World Barista Championship – 34th Place, Round One

2016 Polish Latte Art Champion

2015 Milano Latte Art Challenge

2015 Polish Barista Champion

2014 Polish Barista Championship – Runner-up

2014 World Latte Art Championship – 17th Place, Round One

2014 Polish Latte Art Champion

Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WBC?:

There is a whole group of people. First of all my closest team, Paula and Kamila, the whole Polish SCA Chapter for support, the guys from WarszawskaSzkołaBaristów, my parents, and all the supporters that keep sending be wishes through internet, etc.

How do you see the coffee industry changing in the future?:

I think that we will know more and more about the science of extraction and that will help us prepare even better coffee in more consistent way. Also I think the machines and grinders will be a great support to deliver as good product as it is possible. We as baristas will go back to what is most imporant – education of our customers with extraordinary service that will provide knowledge and great experience to every coffee user.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

I see myself as a coach for young and talented baristas from Poland to do well, not only in competition but also in everyday work.

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

Football, tennis, and music 🙂

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Philippines
Aldrin Lumaban
Yardstick Coffee

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

I am Aldrin, 25 years old and currently working at Yardstick Coffee as a head of quality and education.

What are you excited to do while you are in Amsterdam?:

I am excited to experience coffee culture in Amsterdam

Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:

2014 Philippine Aeropress Championship – Champion
2014 World Aeropress Championship – Semi-Finalist
2014 Philippine National Barista Championship – Champion
2015 World Barista Championship – 26th Place, Round One
2018 Philippines National Barista Championship – Champion

Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WBC?:

I would like to thank God for giving me this opportunity, and to my parents who supported me endlessly. To my team, Yardstick Coffee who gave their utmost effort to support me for this upcoming World Barista Championship. Lastly, I would like to thank the coffee industry in the Philippines that always motivates me to give my best.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

I see myself having my own coffee shop.

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Norway
Tore Øverleir
SELLANRAA PALA

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

I live in Trondheim, a small city in the middle of Norway. I’ve been working as a barista and manager since 2011. Last year me and some friends opened our own cafè and it has been so much fun and so challenging trying our own ideas to see if they are worth while.

What are you excited to do while you are in Amsterdam?:

Serve good good coffee. Meet old and new coffee friends.

Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:

2012 Norwegian Brewers Cup Champion
2013 Vienna World Brewers Cup – 12th Place
2014 Norwegian Brewers Cup – 2nd Place
2014 Norwegian Barista Champion
2014 Rimini World Barista Championship – 27th Place, Round One
2016 Norwegian Aeropress Championship – 2nd Place
2016 Norwegian Barista Championship – 3rd Place
2017 Norwegian Brewers Cup – 3rd Place
2017 Norwegian Barista Championship – 2nd Place
2018 Norwegian Brewers Cup – 3rd Place

Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WBC?:

My girlfriend Tone, and the people at SELLANRAA. Idar Ellingsen, Tim Wendelboe, Tom Kyuken, Lise Rømo, Rasmus Helgebostad.

How do you see the coffee industry changing in the future?:

More automation, better coffee, more focus on customer experience.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

Still thriving to serve delicious coffee to the guests at SELLANRAA. Older, wiser, still curious.

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

I love cross country skiing, hiking, eating good food, drinking good stuff.

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Japan
Takayuki Ishitani
Independent

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

I am working as a freelance Barista and mainly focus on shop management and seminars/events. Always considering a field oriented job first, I occasionally work as a Barista at the store called Saturdays NYC Tokyo that I manage. Anyway, I love to make coffee.

What are you excited to do while you are in Amsterdam?:

I am looking forward to interacting with the baristas and coffee industry people from all over the world as well as seeing Amsterdam’s culture and historic sites.

Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:

2007 Japan Barista Championship – 6th
2008 Japan Barista Championship – 5th
2009 Japan Barista Championship – 2nd
2010 Japan Barista Championship – 12th
2011 Japan Barista Championship – 7th
2012 Japan Barista Championship – 2nd
2013 Japan Barista Championship – 3rd
2014 Japan Barista Championship – 4th
2015 Japan Barista Championship – 2nd
2016 Japan Barista Championship – 3rd
2017 Japan Barista Championship – 1st

Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WBC?:

I would like to say thanks to a lot of colleagues who are helping me, including my coach, Mr. Takamasa Miki, and everyone at “Cupping Room Coffee Roasters” in Hong Kong.  Thank you also to Mr. Noboru Ueno (FBC International), who has been watching over me for the last 12 years. Thanks to everyone! I truly appreciate you all from the bottom of my heart. Thank you very much.

How do you see the coffee industry changing in the future?:

I think that the evolution of machines and tools will continue rapidly in the future. Considering that, I think that Baristas, should provide much more distinctive service to customers through coffee. I feel creativity, customer service, etc., should be considered in performances in order to keep up with the changes in machinery.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

I would like to stay at the shop and continue to make coffee for customers.

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

I am interested in bartending. I always have a good time entertaining customers, and of course combining the methods and materials.

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Italy
Davide Cavaglieri
Independent

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

I’m an italian barista and I’ve been working in the coffee business for about 10 years. Competing at the barista championships each year gave me the motivation to improve my knowledge and share all my passion with customers. My life goal is to transfer my passion through innovation, training, and discovery.

What are you excited to do while you are in Amsterdam?:

I am looking forward to coming back to a city that is very important to me, so I want to enjoy my time there.

Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:

2010 Italian Barista Championship – 4th Place

2012 Italian Barista Championship – 3rd Place

2013 Italian Barista Championship – 3rd Place

2014 Italian Barista Championship – 6th Place

2015 Italian Barista Championship – 5th Place

2017 Italian Barista Championship – 2nd Place

2018 Italian Barista Championship – 1st Place

How do you see the coffee industry changing in the future?:

Because Italy has strong old traditions, I hope that more customers can enjoy a specialty coffee cup profile and understand how recognize the quality in coffee.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

In contact with the coffee farm more than now, to discover and share amazing coffees in my country.

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

My second passion is the world of food and beverage

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Ireland
Arvind Khedun
Dublin Barista School

What are you excited to do while you are in Amsterdam?:

I’m excited to meet all the other competitors.

Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:

2012 Irish Barista Championship – Round One

2012 Irish Latte Art Championship – 3rd Place

2013 Irish Latte Art Championship – 2nd Place

2014 Irish Latte Art Championship – 3rd Place.

2013 Irish Cup Tasters Champion

2013 Nice World Cup Tasters Championship – 31st Place

2013-2015 Irish Barista Championships – Finalist

2017 Irish Barista Championship – 4th Place

2018 Irish Barista Champion

Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WBC?:

I would like to said thank you to my wife Renata for supporting me and training me. Thank you to Alin Giriada, managing director of Coffee Laboratory Ireland for training me and roasting my coffee. To James, the Director of Dublin Barista School for letting me use the training room. Thanks to Bell Lane Coffee Roaster for letting us use their roaster , and to everyone else who helped me along the way.

How do you see the coffee industry changing in the future?:

It is getting technologically more advanced and that will continue in the future.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

I still see myself as a barista.

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

Following sports.

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