Project Description
Latvia
Raimonds Zadvornovs
Kalve Coffee
Please tell us a little bit about yourself:
I’ve been in coffee for about 4 years, started as a salesman for coffee machines and then fell in love with the product itself. Ever since then I’ve tried competing where I can and developing my skills in all ways possible – both in competitions and with SCA education. Currently I am a roaster and barista trainer at my own roastery Kalve Coffee, and it is the most exciting time so far!
What are you excited to do while you are in Seoul?:
See Seoul, do my best in competitions and meet new coffee friends!
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
Latvian Barista Competition 2014 (Non-SCAE Sanctioned) – 1st Place
London Coffee Masters 2014 – 12th Place
Latvian Barista Competition 2015 (Non-SCAE Sanctioned) – 1st Place
Latvian Barista Competition 2017 – 1st Place
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WBC?:
My coach, Gatis Zēmanis. He’s a very good friend of mine, a strict trainer, and this combination brings very good results. My wife, Santa. Without her I’d be a mess at the competition. My sponsors, Clockwork Espresso and Espresso Gear — they have provided me with the best tools for this competition.
How do you see the coffee industry changing in the future?:
I see a lot of work is being done at origin to improve the coffee quality at the source. I strongly believe this will happen and we, on the other side of the chain, have to do our best to embrace these changes and bring out the best of whatever coffee we get! I also think that the specialty coffee industry will become even more quality driven, and the focus on customer service will make even more coffee drinkers turn to coffee lovers.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:
Currently I am doing everything I can to direct my professional focus to green coffee and roasting, as well as Barista training. I hope to be an AST that can provide all education modules in Latvia and the Baltics, and I also hope to source green coffee directly from origin, to roast coffee for every taste there is.
What are your interests outside of coffee?:
My family, for one. I have a son who I am sure will grow up to be a great man, so I’m doing my best to help him. Besides that, I enjoy wakeboarding, rollerskating, freestyle skiing. But surely, coffee is definitely my main hobby!
