Turkey
Pinar Aktepe
Flat White (Qatar)

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

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.

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