And the Judges for Coffee Masters 2018 are...
Putting the baristas through their paces and giving you the low-down live at the event this year will be...
Anne Lunell - Head Judge
Anne is a Swedish Barista and Brewers champion and the visionary behind Koppi, an internationally respected and well-loved coffee roaster in the Swedish town of Helsingborg.
Tim Wendelboe
The world-renowned Norwegian barista and entrepreneur, has won the Nordic Roaster Competition three years running. He is for his dedication to visiting and assisting coffee producers to improve their quality. With an espresso bar, training centre and micro roastery in Oslo, his own land in Colombia and several published books, Tim Wendelboe is a heavyweight in the world of specialty coffee.
Freda Yuan
Head of Quality Control at Caravan Coffee Roasters, Freda Yuan is a licensed Q grader, current UK Cup Tasters Champion, and Authorised SCA Trainer in English and Mandarin. She brings her passion for the sensory elements of coffee and world-leading cupping experience to the judging panel.
Kris Schackman
Kris is co-founder of Berlin based Five Elephant Coffee Roastery & Cake Shop. He works there as CEO and Green Buyer, focusing on ethical and responsible business practices and direct sourcing of high quality coffee.
Mikaela Gervard
Mikaela has a dual role as Barista and HR-Coordinator at The Coffee Collective in Copenhagen. She's represented her home country, Finland, in the World Brewer's Cup on several occasions coming second internationally in 2016.
Sonja Zweidick
Sonja is Founder of Barista Connect, a female network where women from all parts of the industry meet and inspire each other at international events. She's also a three-time national Barista Champion, Judge, Roaster and Barista.
David Donde
David’s Cape Town based cafe, Truth Coffee, has been named the best in the world by a more than a few prominent UK Newspapers; twice in a row by the Daily Telegraph. He believes in results, individuality and playing on people’s strengths. The one thing he hates? Excuses.
Gwilym Davies
2009 World Barista Champion and founder of East London’s Prufrock Coffee, Gwilym, is famed for making coffee in 36 different countries. He's now settled in Prague where he owns and runs a Barista Training Centre.
Jordan Michelman
Jordan co-founded one of the most important coffee news sites in the world, Sprudge.com, in 2009. Now a network of over seventy writers around the world, Sprudge covers the latest and greatest in coffee, including our very own Coffee Masters.
Lem Butler
2016 USBC Champion and co-owner of Back Alley and Black & White Coffee Roasters Lem Butler, is joining the impressive line-up of MCs for the third time. He’s won the Southeast Regional Barista Competition no fewer than five times.