Coffee champ Stefanos Domatiotis’ latest project showcases the future of specialty coffee in Greece.
BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SPECIAL TO BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Photos courtesy of Create
2014 World Brewers Cup (WBrc) champ Stefanos Domatiotis’ reputation precedes him. I met him during the 2019 Barista Camp in Greece, but I was already familiar with his longstanding work in the coffee industry.
As the 2014 WBrC champ, two-time World Barista Champion finalist, designer of the Gem Series dripper, Certified World Coffee Events Judge and Certified SCA Trainer (AST), Stefanos is one of the most dedicated coffee professionals I have had the pleasure of meeting. This past year, his vision to make the coffee industry accessible to everyone has taken shape in the form of Create, the very first coffee experience hub in Greece.
Welcome to Create
The philosophy? Opportunities don’t just happen—you create them.This is why the shape and style of the physical building echoes what happens within it. By providing a white canvas, it molds and transforms to complement the events taking place there. Located in the heart of Athens inside a two-floor building, Create holds meeting rooms, a showroom, three espresso bars, four brew bars, stand-alone home barista workstations, a sample roasting corner, a kitchen, and an events area.
It is a collaborative space, with minimal style, modern and sleek interiors, and a relaxing vibe. As expected, Create is also full of state-of-the-art coffee equipment that is accessible to all who visit.
“I envisioned a space where, not just I but others too, would feel comfortable to teach, inspire and create,” says Stefanos. The team behind Create is composed of talented and experienced experts who love what they do, from certified barista trainers and world coffee champions, all the way to coffee business consultants and marketing and digital experts.
From the moment I entered, I could tell this was a project created with a lot of passion and attention to detail. There is an inviting vibe that comes from its open space and relaxing light, which will make it possible to relish specialty coffees at their full potential.
What to Expect at Create
At Create, the community will also host a variety of speakers and activities, from hands-on experiences to lectures. Whether you are a professional looking to improve your skills or just a curious coffee lover, you can join the team and learn firsthand.
Stefanos and his team of specialists also provide bespoke coffee consultancy services worldwide. From selecting coffees, designing menus, and managing workflows, to coffee space optimization and barista training, the Create team offers tailored solutions to help businesses thrive.
There’s More to Create Than Coffee
But here’s a secret: Create is not all about coffee! It also hosts occasional workshops on chocolate, honey, olive oil, wine, and more, with the goal to share knowledge about sensory practices and teach people how to develop their palates.
This way, the hub does not only bring together a wider creative community that shares and collaborates on ideas; it also promotes these high-quality products and the people behind them.
The Special Touches
And it doesn’t stop there. I must confess, I am a big lover of print media and was very happy to see that amongst a collection of neat apparel, top-tier coffee tools, and unique cups, there was also a small selection of eclectic independent magazines. All in all, it was the attention to every little bit of detail that won me over entirely.
“We want the whole world to feel welcome here,“ says Olga Vagiakakou, Create’s marketing and communications director. By chatting to Stefanos and Olga, I quickly realized that the sense of community and appreciation for the subtleties in life is what drives Create forward. The team has many exciting projects planned for the immediate future, and I am surely looking forward to all of them.
You can visit Create at 9-11 Kousianofski Str., Athens, or experience it online at www.createathens.gr.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a freelance copywriter and editor with a primary focus on the coffee niche. She has also been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, providing content to help educate people about baristas and their work. You can follow her adventures at thewanderingbean.net.
