Geetu Mohnani, India

2018-05-14T10:26:19-04:00

India
Geetu Mohnani
Third Wave Coffee Roasters

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

I have been part of coffee journey for 4 years. Born and brought up in India, I’m a very jovial person who likes to read books, sing and eat a lot of local food. Coffee has been my passion and I love visiting different farms and meet people who have contributed to this beauty. I have been a part of Top 3 International Barista Champions for Starbucks CAP Region in 2017.

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

Eat local food, meet people and learn more through the event.

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

Starbucks National Barista Championship INDIA – 2016 (National Winner)

Starbucks Barista Championship CAP – 2017 (Second Runner Up)

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

Thank you to everyone who has been involved since day one of my coffee journey.

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

It has grown so far and is going to an industry that evolves a lot in terms of Labour Employment.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

A coffee brand ambassador for my nation and the world.

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

Singing local songs, playing badminton, trying new delicacies.

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Mindaugas Ryskus, Lithuania

2018-05-14T10:25:43-04:00

Lithuania
Mindaugas Ryskus
Cofmos Coffee Co.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

I love animals, plants, humans and nature in general.

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

To do my presentation as best as possible.

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

National Barista Championship 2009 – 6th Place
National Barista Championship 2010 – 5th Place
National Barista Championship 2011 – 2nd Place
National Latte Art Championship 2011 – 2nd Place
National Barista Championship 2012 – 1st Place
WBC 2012 – 36th Place, Round One
National Barista Championship 2018 – 1st Place

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

Thank you for all those beautiful experiences I had while working in the coffee industry and to all the lovely people who where involved.

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

I see it changing only for a common good.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

In balance.

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

Cycling, analog photography, art.

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Keith Koay, Malaysia

2018-05-14T10:25:00-04:00

Malaysia
Keith Koay
One Half Coffee

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

Hello! I currently own and run two coffee bars in Kuala Lumpur. I am 26 yrs old, love bread, and my favorite city is London! <3

 

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

2016 World Barista Championship Dublin
2016 Melbourne Barista Championship
2018 Melbourne Barista Championship

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

There are so many of them, especially anyone who physically helped throughout the competition. I would like to thank my customers for the continuous support so that we are able to do what we love.

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

Definitely a more sustainable system, more transparency from the help of current technology. Social media nowadays has so much impact on spreading knowledge to the world within seconds.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

Improving the specialty coffee standard in general, sharing knowledge to people, and still drinking awesome coffee everyday.

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

Considering running a clear/fancy ice company. I have a kind of obsession with pretty ice.

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Winston Thomas, South Africa

2018-05-14T10:24:22-04:00

South Africa
Winston Thomas
Independent

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

Based in Cape Town working as a freelancer and focusing on competition preperation. This will be my second time competing at the WBC.

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

Connect with old coffee friends and make new coffee friends. And stroopwafels!

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

SA Aeropress Championships 2016 – 1st Place
SA Barista Championships 2016 – 8th Place
SA Barista Championships 2017 – 1st Place
World Barista Championships 2017 – 41st Place
African Barista Championships 2018 – 3rd Place
SA Barista Championships 2018 – 1st Place

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

Innovation and focus on customer service, bridging the gap between the barista and consumer is a given. What I’ve found most interesting is how the global community has become more cohesive. I see this developing and enabling minority communities the opportunity to progress and grow by learning and working with larger, more developed communities.

 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

Travelling, learning, meeting new people and tasting amazing coffees all over the world.

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

Sport and the outdoors. Cape Town has a lot to offer and I try to make the most of it!

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Lex Wenneker, The Netherlands

2018-05-14T10:23:47-04:00

The Netherlands
Lex Wenneker
Friedhats Coffee / ESW

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

I’m 32 years old and I live in Amsterdam. This will be my third WBC, and I think it’s pretty awesome that I can compete this year in my own city. I’ve been working in coffee for about 10 years as a barista, roaster, trainer and I run my own roastery in Amsterdam called Friedhats Coffee. I’ve been competing for the last couple of years with a close group of friends because we like the search for the best coffees in the world and the creative process around the competition.

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

I live in Amsterdam, so I’m there pretty much everyday. Most excited that I can just cycle to the WBC this year (:

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

2012 Vienna World Cup Tasters Championship
2015 Seattle World Barista Championship – 15th Place
2016 Dublin World Barista Championship 2016 – 6th Place

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

My closest team members: Dylan Sedgwick, Jonatan Scheeper, Stijn Braas, Luuk de Klijn, Keng Pereira, and Yakup Aydin. My girlfriend for putting up with me during another year of barista competition. Henk Langkemper (Espresso Service West) for the never ending support. Willem Huisman (Brita) for teaching us about water. All of our sponsors for supporting us: ESW/Brita/Nuova Ricambi/SCA Netherlands/EDO.

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

Hopefully specialty coffee will become the new standard, and WBC coffee will become the new specialty. I see more and more people that have a coffee for the taste of it, rather than something that will wake them up. That will automatically change the coffee industry. In a good way (:

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

Outside in the sun, in front of my new cafe, drinking a nice coffee that was roasted by one of us. Looking in through the window and seeing happy people also drinking a nice coffee and looking at the tamper on the counter that says “WBC Finalist 2018” (: (: Just kidding… About the sun, it always rains in The Netherlands.

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

Climbing, my second favourite sport after barista competition, and my girlfriend, who is just awesome. Those two I like consistently. And then there’s a million other things I like to do that are usually related to food, sports or building things.

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Thiago Sabino, Brazil

2018-05-02T09:34:10-04:00

Brazil
Thiago Sabino
Il Barista

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

2018 marks my 10th year as a barista. Every day is like my very first day, where learning and studying is never enough. It’s almost impossible to separate personal life and work when what you do so much. Coffee is a whole entire universe, it offers you all kinds of possibilities, tastes, shapes, colors, feelings… it’s up to you choosing what you want to do with it.

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

I’ve never been to Amsterdam. Why not visit a local coffeeshop?

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

2018 National Brazilian Barista Championship – 1st Place
2017 National Brazilian Barista Championship – 3rd Place
2015 World Barista Championship – 34th Place, Round One
2014 National Brazilian Barista Championship – 1st Place
2014 National Coffee in Good Spirits – 1st Place
2014 World Coffee in Good Spirits Championships – 14th Place, Round One
2013 National Brazilian Barista Championship – 2nd Place
2012 National Brazilian Barista Championship – 3rd Place
2012 State’s Barista Championship – 2nd Place
2009 State’s Barista Championship – 7th Place

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

I’ve been walking this path with so many other great people. I would like to thank everyone from the IAC, Luiz Saldanha for all the learning, Hugo for the brotherhood, Thabata for being my “xu” sister, Becca for the full time support, Alejandro for accepting being my coach, and Gelma Franco for creating an enviroment to make this possible.

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

I see an industry with more professionals dedicated to bring a better result to the cup and helping people to understand the complexity of the specialty coffees.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

I see myself with my own business, as a multi-tasking professional, able to operate in different parts of the coffee chain.

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

My two baby girls, Antonella and Lorena.

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Aga, Indonesia

2018-05-02T09:31:43-04:00

Indonesia
Aga
SMITH

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

My name is Aga, I’m the head roaster and Co-founder of SMITH coffee bar & roastery in Jakarta,Indonesia. I’m also a trainer of Co-roasting space in Harapan Djaya coffee roaster Jakarta. I’ve been in this industry since 2009 as a barista in a chain coffee shop, then decided to move to specialty coffee in 2013 to learn more. Now, coffee is not just how I can make a living within the industry. More than that, coffee is a passion. My first national competition was in 2013, since then competition has become a motivation that triggers me to be a better person in the coffee industry and also the time where I can play around through researches and experiments. Back in 2017, I went to WBC and submitted myself to be a volunteer. I had a discussion with my friend that I really want to be here as a competitor, and finally after continuous efforts and heavy trainings, as well as huge supports from my friends I can achieve what I was aiming for. This year, it will be my first year as a competitor in WBC.

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

This will be my first time to go to Amsterdam. I am looking forward to get lost, drown myself in coffee, capture lots of memories, gain new friends, and obviously have fun.

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

2013 Indonesia Barista Championship – 5th Place
2014 Indonesia Barista Championship – 2nd Place
2014 Indonesia Latte Art Championship – 2nd Place
2015 Indonesia Latte Art Championship – 2nd Place
2018 Indonesia Barista Championship – 1st Place

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

My mom who always prays for me, My team from SMITH coffee bar and roastery. My super humble coach, Cindy Herlin and Rendy, who have been supporting me since my first competition. Friends that support with their kind words as well as advices. All of Indonesia that support for sure.

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

I think we will see more and more appreciation from people towards the specialty coffee industry, through its process that results in different experiences. This industry also will be more transparent because of the increasing accessibility of information through digital platforms. But I hope this also means that we also will think more about the sustainability, especially considering the climate change, and a lack of ecosystem that will impact this industry.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

On a farm maybe, making my own lot!

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

I love photography, music and travel

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Ariadna Chaparro, Mexico

2018-05-02T09:31:10-04:00

Mexico
Ariadna Chaparro
Coffee Matters MX

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

Lead barista trainer at Coffee Matters school in San Remo Latin Mexico since 2015. Whenever I have the chance I travel to coffee farms to get to know the traceability of the industry in Mexico. My other passion besides cofffee is to ride my bike.

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

I’m looking forward to sharing experiences with coffee people.

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

2016 Mexican Barista Championship – 3rd Place
2017 Mexican Barista Championship – 1st Place

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

My boss and director of San Remo Latin Mexico, Luis Carlos Fernandez, my family, friends that are my second family, and all the coffee community in Mexico.

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

There will be more experiments with different processing methods, different ways to roast and brewing these exotic coffees will be the challenge.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

Being re-certified as an AST for another period and also competing in the Mexican Brewers Cup.

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

I love taking pictures and riding my bike.

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Benjamin Roque, Panama

2018-05-02T09:30:30-04:00

Panama
Benjamin Roque
Kotowa Coffee House

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

I was born and raised in Panama, in the province of Chiriqui.  I’m 23 years old and since I was 18 I’ve been working as a Barista in Chiriquí.  In 2017 I enrolled myself to compete at the Barista Competition in Panama and got 5th place.  I moved to Panama City after that and started working as a trainer for Kotowa Coffee House. My favorite coffee are Natural processes.

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

To share knowledge with Baristas around the world.

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

2017 Panama Barista Competition – 5th Place
2017 Panama Brewers Competition
2018 Panama Barista Competition – 1st Place

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

I would like to give a special thanks to Ally Coffee who gave me the opportunity to prepare myself at their space in North Carolina.

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

Growing. Having more people interested in the industry with more new and advanced machines with which everyone has the chance to do more research.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

Having my own coffeeshop and participating in future competitions.

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

I like the business, playing soccer, and travelling.

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Adam Neubauer, Czech Republic

2018-05-02T09:28:05-04:00

Czech Republic
Adam Neubauer
Monogram Espresso Bar

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

I live in Mikulov and run my own shop called MONOGRAM Espresso Bar in Brno.  I enjoy meeting a wide range of professions and people that coffee brings to me.

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

I’m looking forward to visiting one very famous chocolate cookie shop.

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

2011 Czech National Barista Competition -DQ

2012 Czech National Barista Competition- 1st Place

2012 WBC Vienna – 34th Place, Round One

2013 Czech National Barista Competition- 4th Place

2014 Czech National Barista Competition- 2nd Place

2015 Czech National Barista Competition- 1st Place

2015 WBC Seattle – 10th Place, Semi-Finals

2018 Czech National Barista Competition- 1st Place

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

I would like to thank my wife and people around me, that helped me to get here. Big thanks goes to the Has Bean Coffee family, who are always by my side.

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

I hope it would continue with connecting the parts of the coffee circle. More baristas are curious about the farms, about the exports and imports. They are not only obsessed by the bean.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

I would love to go to origin and work more with people interested in coffee, especially from the customer service side.

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

Wine, music, art.

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