How long have you been in coffee? I had my first barista job during school and have done nothing else since. 25+ years.
Which countries have you taught in? CQI education, only Australia and New Zealand. I’m looking forward to expanding that.
What's your favorite coffee origin? It's hard to choose just one, as I appreciate all coffee origins for their unique qualities. That said, normally the most recent origin I visited holds a special place in my heart because of the meaningful connections you make.
What do you think are the benefits of taking the Q? There are many benefits, both personally and in improving our industry as a whole. For individuals, the Q certification helps you grow as a coffee professional and hones your ability to evaluate coffee quality consistently and accurately using industry-standard protocols. Becoming a certified Q Grader provides you with a globally recognized credential that sets you apart as a coffee quality expert and positively impacts your career development. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, opening doors for collaboration and growth within the specialty coffee sector. For the industry, having more people complete the Q certification helps establish and grow a common language of quality, which has a positive impact across the entire supply chain, from producers to consumers.
What language/s do you speak? Mostly only English with bits of Spanish and a little Maori.
What other activities do you do in the coffee industry? I have previously been heavily involved with World Coffee Events as a WCE Representative and Judge for the World Barista Championship, Brewers Cup, and Coffee in Good Spirits. I am also an active member of the New Zealand coffee community, having served as the Chair of the Roasters Guild and Vice Chair of the NZSCA. Currently, I am currently also involved in a coffee-growing project in the North of New Zealand. I am passionate about supporting our industry as much as time permits and always strive to offer help where it’s needed
