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 TAIWAN
Tse-Lin (Berg) Wu
Simple Kaffa
Coach: Chia-Chi (Chee) Lu
About you: My wife and I started our coffee business, Simple Kaffa, when we were just students. We hope we can deliver our passion for good coffee via simple ways and always have faith in sharing good coffee. To compete is a challenge for myself; however, I hope to encourage not only myself, but also people around me.
How many years have you worked with coffee or in the coffee industry?
10
Before coffee, did you work in a different job or industry, or what did you study in school?
I studied Electric Engineering in college and started to work in a patent law firm after graduation, drafting technical specifications for clients.
How did you get started in coffee?
When we were still students, my wife and I remade a tricycle and turned it into a mobile coffee kiosk. Despite working from Monday to Friday, we still shared our coffee with people on weekends, riding our tricycle.
What was your first amazing experience with coffee?
I was just a student and joined a coffee sharing event. For the first time, I tasted my coffee in the cup, while the barista showed me on the map where the coffee came from.
Who has been your greatest influence in coffee? Why?
My father, because he sponsored the very first coffee machine of mine.
What would you like to see change about the coffee industry/community?
International barista exchange sounds exciting!
Name a coffee luminary (famous person) you would like to meet, and why:
1st World Barista Champion [Robert Thoresen]. The boss of Kaffa. He is so cool.
Name a barista you admire, and why:
Colin Harmon. I like his style of competition. Very humorous and he has guts!
Do you have a favorite customer? If so, tell us about him or her.
Does my wife count?
Besides your own cafe, what cafe do you think everyone should visit?
Monmouth cafe in London. Love the bread, coffee, and people there.
Which coffee producing country you would like to visit, and why?
Ethiopia. Everything started from Kaffa.
What are your interests outside of coffee?
Baking.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Become a father, having two children, having time with my family, and owning a business in which people share a common dream.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or who helped you prepare for the WBC?
Can I thank my wife? She helped me complete all these questions!
