LUCA CASADEI
BARISTA CHAMPION OF FRANCE
@lucacasadei7
Barista Mag: Before coffee, did you work in a different job or industry, or what did you study in school?
Luca: I did study in a commercial/bank school, and then went to sports university. I worked as a sports teacher before I changed my life for the coffee industry.
BMag: How did you get started in coffee?
Luca: When I was young I worked as a barista in the family hotel.
BMag: What was your first amazing experience with coffee?
Luca: I tasted a coffee without sugar. It was an amazing experience and after that I never used sugar.
BMag: Who has been your greatest influence in coffee? Why?
Luca: I have built up my passion alone, day after day.
BMag: What would you like to see change about the coffee industry/community?
Luca: This community is very special, we just need the time to share together our knowledge. For example, we need to visit producing countries to know better this incredible cherry, to know how the producer evolves his passion every day.
BMag: Name a coffee luminary (famous person) you would like to meet, and why:
Luca: Kentaro Maryuama from Japan. For me this guy is like a human coffee book, very interesting to read.
BMag: Name a barista you admire, and why:
Luca: Fritz Storm for his charisma. Ricardo Azofeifa Mora for his knowledges in coffee and his generosity. Gwylim Davis for his humility.
BMag: Besides your own cafe, what cafe do you think everyone should visit?
Luca: Prufrock in London. I don’t know Melbourne, so maybe I will have time to visit some cafes before the WBC.
BMag: Which coffee producing country you would like to visit, and why?
Luca: Costa Rica is a unique country, with some unique people where coffee is like a religion.
BMag: What are your interests outside of coffee?
Luca: My family (my wife and my son), sports, fashion, travel, music, and cinema.
BMag: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Luca: I hope to one day be the World Barista Champion. Maybe this year…
BMag: Is there anyone you would like to thank or who helped you prepare for the WBC?
Luca: My company that has supported me. They have given me the opportunity to live this great experience. My French team (Veronique and Sylvie) for the help that they have given me before in France and then in Melbourne. My trainers that worked and help me to be my self.
