NIK OROSI
BARISTA CHAMPION OF CROATIA
@NIKOROS
Barista Mag: How did you first get started in coffee?
Nik: I was having a dream I was preparing a coffee in a box! So the next morning I said to my wife I’m gonna close my business and open a caffe bar! That is what happened. Simple but true!
BMag: What was your first amazing experience with coffee?
Nik: Flying to Olso by invitation from Tim Wendelboe
BMag: Who has been your greatest influence in coffee? Why?
Nik: Willy Hansen and Tim Wendelboe! Willy Hansen from Oslo based with Solberg & Hansen for his down-to-earth thinking, humbleness, giving, sharing, and teaching me about life! Tim Wendelboe for being the same as me: crazy, never happy with a cup of coffee, always walking on the other side. He has been a true ‘enemy’ of my work, meaning he was pushing me to be better!
BMag: What would you like to see change about the coffee industry/community?
Nik: I would like to see more happy people behind the counter! We can talk about coffee, and as we talk we can try to make coffee the new wine, a new luxury product. For me, coffee is not a commodity.
BMag: Name a coffee luminary (famous person) you would like to meet, and why:
Nik: I’ve met almost all of them, so maybe the CEO of Nespresso! Why? To kick him!
BMag: Name a barista you admire, and why:
Nik: There are so many…
BMag: Do you have a favorite customer? If so, tell us about him or her.
Nik: Now that is a question! My favorite? I have so many! I love when they are telling me that coffee is bad because that makes me wake up and rethink! I love when customers talk and ask…but most of all I love it when they send me pictures of my cup pictured around the world.
BMag: Besides your own cafe, what cafe do you think everyone should visit?
Nik: All of them, because the more we visit, the more we will appreciate a good cafe bar.
BMag: Which coffee producing country you would like to visit, and why?Nik: Ethiopia. I am 42 but still cannot understand how a land of such a history and beauty can be so poor…
BMag: What are your interests outside of coffee?
Nik: Food, music…
BMag: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Nik: I hope I’ll be happy and with my kids. I just want that, besides peace!
BMag: Is there anyone you would like to thank or who helped you prepare for the WBC?
Nik: There is no specific person. There were so many in many ways!
