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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