WBC Countdown: Barista Champion of Zambia Mirriam Simasiku

MIRRIAM SIMASIKO
BARISTA CHAMPION OF ZAMBIA

Barista Mag:  Before coffee, did you work in a different job or industry, or what did you study in school?

Mirriam:  I worked at the Chikumbuso orphanage in Lusaka.

BMag:  How did you get started in coffee?

Mirriam:  Blue Moon Cafe trained the Chikumbuso staff, and I got interested in coffee and got employed by them.

BMag:  What was your first amazing experience with coffee?

Mirriam:  Participating in the Zambia barista championship. The first time I participated, I got disqualified because of going  overtime. But I got very determined to win the competition and compete in the World Barista Championship.

BMag:  Who has been your greatest influence in coffee? Why?

Mirriam:  Bob Keating from Blue Moon Cafe, who got me first interested in coffee.

BMag:  What would you like to see change about the coffee industry/community?

Mirriam:  I would like to see Zambia change from a tea-drinking country to coffee-drinking country, and I would like for people to want to learn more about coffee.

BMag:  Name a coffee luminary (famous person) you would like to meet, and why:

Mirriam:  Alejandro Mendez, 2011 World Barista Champion, because he is also from a coffee-producing country (and I have met Raul already). It would be nice to get tips on how to bring coffee culture in producing countries to a better level.

BMag:  Do you have a favorite customer? If so, tell us about him or her.

Mirriam:  Any Zambian who wants to learn about coffee.

BMag:  Besides your own cafe, what cafe do you think everyone should visit?

Mirriam:  P’zazz at Ababa House in Lusaka, Zambia. They make almost as good coffee as we do.

BMag:  Which coffee producing country you would like to visit, and why?

Mirriam:  Guatemala. Raul Rodas is such a great barista, and I would like to see where his coffee comes from.

BMag:  What are your interests outside of coffee?

Mirriam:  Baking and cooking.

BMag:  Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Mirriam:  I would like to have my own coffee business.

BMag:  Is there anyone you would like to thank or who helped you prepare for the WBC?

Mirriam:  Teija Lublinkhof, who  helped to train me and organize this trip.