In advance of the WBC event on June 21–24, we introduce the champions from Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, and Colombia.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY WORLD COFFEE EVENTS
The ancient city of Athens, Greece, will be the backdrop for the 2023 World Barista Championship on June 21–24, at the World of Coffee event. Forty-eight national champions from around the world will take the stage to compete for the ultimate coffee championship title. Let’s get to know these outstanding coffee professionals.
For the next two weeks, we will showcase these champions here at Barista Magazine Online in the alphabetical order of their countries. Today, meet the champions of Australia, Austria, Brazil, and Canada, as well as the two champions who will represent China and Colombia. (Note: China and Colombia will see both their 2023 champions compete as well as their champions who won prior to 2023 and took a bye during the pandemic).
AUSTRALIA
JACK SIMPSON
AXIL COFFEE ROASTERS
“I’ve been working In the coffee industry for over 10 years. Currently working for Axil Coffee Roasters. I’ve been competing and around competitions for the last seven. Inspired by routines like Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood, Dale Harris, and the team at Axil Coffee Roasters. Montreal Bagel lover. I got into coffee by working as an apprentice carpenter, bringing an AeroPress to the building site, and brewing coffee for everyone on site!“
AUSTRIA
JUNIOR VARGAS OTERO
INDEPENDENT
“I was born and raised on a coffee farm in Peru, so coffee was always in my DNA. Now I am based in Austria and I have been competing for the last seven years. This is my fourth WBC. I believe there are many ways to create value in the coffee industry, and one of them is through competition—that’s why I love to compete. I would like to use that value to add and create more value for our community and the coffee industry from bean to cup. That’s what motivates me to compete. And yes, ’value’ is my favorite word.“
BRAZIL
BORAM UM
UM COFFEE CO.
“Founder of Um Coffee Co., coffee producer, roaster, and barista in Brazil. Been competing for four years now, happy to represent Brazil for the third time on the world stage. Started competing to improve barista scene in Brazil, and showcase what Brazil has to offer to the world in specialty coffee.“
CANADA
BEN PUT
MONOGRAM COFFEE
“I am one of the founders of Monogram Coffee in Calgary, Canada. This is my 11th year competing and I am always amazed with how the competitions and competitors continue to evolve and push new boundaries.“
CHINA
PAN WEI
PARKING COFFEE
“I’m Pan Wei, the owner of Parking Coffee in Hangzhou City, just become a crazy rookie dad when I am writing this. I have been running WBC China for eight years. In 2021, I won the China championship with a Yunnan coffee daily provided in my café. This time on the world stage I’d like to be not only a representative of China (as a) barista but also (of) the origin Yunnan.“
CHINA
JINGUI ZHU
UNCLE G COFFEE
“Hi, my name is Jingui Zhu and I am the 2018, 2020 China Barista Champion. I have been working in the coffee industry for 10 years, and I am the owner of Uncle G Coffee, a specialty-coffee shop in Wuhan. I started competing in barista competitions (in) 2013 because I wanted to challenge myself and showcase my skills and knowledge to the industry, and keep inspiring younger generations. One fun fact about me is that I am also a crazy craft-beer lover.“
COLOMBIA
EDWIN TASCON
GRANJA PARAÍSO 92
“I am Edwin Tascon. I love living in Colombia, where I can learn and live the best experiences with quality coffees. Nine years ago I lived the best experiences of my life where I met beautiful people and beautiful moments.“
COLOMBIA
CESAR AUGUSTO VELANDIA
AMOR PERFECTO
“I am a passionate barista who currently works in AMOR PERFECTO CAFÉ, who helped me in this whole process. I have been working with coffee for seven years and six years in different competitions. I arrived in this industry by a beautiful coincidence and today I thank God for this. Always accompanied by my beautiful family.“
Stay tuned to Barista Magazine Online in the coming weeks as we introduce all 48 National Barista Champions set to take the stage at the 2023 World Barista Championship in Athens, Greece, June 21–24!
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