Editor’s note: As we approach the beginning of the 2014 World Barista Championship, which takes place in Rimini, Italy, June 9 “12, at the SCAE’s World of Coffee event, we would like to introduce you to the National Barista Champions who all worked incredibly hard to earn a position in this preeminent coffee contest. Profiles of all 54 competitors will appear on Barista Magazine’s blog between Monday, June 2, and Monday, June 9, and can all be accessed under the category header “WBC 2014 Rimini.”
BARISTA CHAMPION OF FRANCE
Luca Casadei
Independent
Coach: Rebecca Moya, Aaron Saks, Ricardo Azofeifa Mora
About you: I live in Paris and I love coffee in every way. It’s my second time in WBC, so now I will just enjoy, taste amazing coffee, and domy best in this amazing competition.
Name a coffee luminary (famous person) you would like to meet, and why:
Stephen Leighton from HasBean coffee in the UK ”awesome guy, amazing coffee, the best roaster in the world.
Name a barista you admire, and why:
Ricardo Azofeifa Mora, [for his] passion and knowledge, and [for how] he shares his coffee love with the others baristas.
Besides your own cafe, what cafe do you think everyone should visit?
Stumptown Coffee Roasters in NY.
Which coffee producing country you would like to visit, and why?
Ethiopia, the coffee origin.
What are your interests outside of coffee?
My family ”my wife and my son ”sports, music, fashion.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Around the world to learn much more and to share my coffee passion.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or who helped you prepare for the WBC?
My wife. She supported me all this time. And my coaches: Rebecca, Aaron, and Ricardo.
