JORDI MESTRE
BARISTA CHAMPION OF SPAIN
@nomadcoffeeuk
Barista Magazine: Before coffee, did you work in a different job or industry, or what did you study in school?
Jordi: I studied Product Design Engineering and a (earned a) BSC in Furniture Restoration and Conservation, I worked in both fields and decided there had to be something else I could do.
BMag: How did you get started in coffee?
Jordi: Just by helping the boss of the pub I was working in to set up a coffee bar.
BMag: What was your first amazing experience with coffee?
Jordi: When I first tasted acidity in coffee, it was so different from everything I tasted before that I wanted to know why.
BMag: Who has been your greatest influence in coffee? Why?
Jordi: At the moment I’d say Rob Dunne, my competition couch for the last two years, and Richard Williams, head roaster at Nude Espresso, from whom I’ve learned pretty much everything I know about roasting.
BMag: What would you like to see change about the coffee industry/community?
Jordi: As a young industry that Specialty coffee is I would like to see its evolution in different aspects, the education and understanding of coffee in professionals and costumers, the availability of it in different hospitality business, food stores, etc.
BMag: Name a coffee luminary (famous person) you would like to meet, and why:
Jordi: Certainly Tim Wendelboe knows a lot about coffee. It would be very interesting to have a chat with him about his experiences in the Colombian Finca Tamana, Brazil, etc. Also Doctor Flavio Borem a researcher from Brazil that is investigating about different aspects of the coffee varietals, growing, picking, packing green beans, etc.
BMag: Name a barista you admire, and why:
Jordi: I don’t have one at the moment.
BMag: Do you have a favorite customer? If so, tell us about him or her.
Jordi: I don’t deal with costumers that much anymore. But probably I would like to have my mum as a custumer everyday to let her taste different ways of drinking and tasting coffee. She likes her cortados very much.
BMag: Besides your own cafe, what cafe do you think everyone should visit?
Jordi: Protein by Dunne Frankowski (in London) is a great concept bar, with no menu. You’ll be asked how do you like your coffee or your preferences in taste and they will deliver a coffee according to your taste.
BMag: Which coffee producing country you would like to visit, and why?
Jordi: Just to get a full understanding of my experience and be able to talk to farmers and producers, I would like to travel to any Spanish speaking country such as El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala. But certainly Brazil has a lot to offer and the research that they carry away there is inspiring
BMag: What are your interests outside of coffee?
Jordi: Food, craft beer and cocktails undoubtably. However, activities that involve design, art and music fill my days off
BMag: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Jordi: Where? Difficult to say, perhaps trying to give a push to the specialty coffee industry in Spain.
BMag: Is there anyone you would like to thank or who helped you prepare for the WBC?
Jordi: Absolutely. My coaches Rob Dunne, for his unconditional dedication over the last two years, Brunno Vincent and Vic Frankowski for their continuous help and support; my work colleague Richard Williams for those evening after work tasting and helping with ideas; and my parents who will always always be there.
