To judge a competition like Coffee Masters™, we had to recruit the best of the best for our panel of judges and MCs. Comprising of legendary names from the world of specialty coffee, we are delighted to announce…

THE JUDGES

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.

FREDA YUAN

 

Freda Yuan is the Director of Coffee for Origin, a licensed Q-grader. An advocate for transparency across the industry, Freda works tirelessly to build relationships while navigating the complexities of supply chains to purchase coffee.
 
As winner of the SCA UK Cup Tasters (2017, 2018, 2020), as well as 3^rd and 5^th place wins in the World Cup Tasters (2017, 2021), Freda is a trusted voice. Her win as Best Coffee Writer (Sprudgie Awards, 2021), for her book, Sip ‘n’ Slurp, testament to this. Her passion in sensory elements began after her struggle – and recovery from – bulimia.

 
KRIS SCHACKMAN

 

 

Growing up in Massachusetts, USA, Kris’ love for coffee started in the mid-1990s while attending the University of Massachusetts and Hampshire College, drinking Scott Rao batch brews by the liter. 

After a career in feature film and advertising in New York City, Kris fell in love with Berlin and soon after moving there, co-founded the Berlin-based Five Elephant Coffee Roastery & Cake Shop in 2010 with his wife & partner Sophie. Kris has worked since 2010 as Co-CEO and Director of Coffee for the international brand, and currently oversees a team of 30 baristas in over 10 sites along with the company's Roasting works.  The founding core value of Five Elephant focuses on ethical and responsible business practices, creating meaningful value in coffee communities, and the direct sourcing of high-quality coffee. On the side, Kris is usually listening to 60's jazz records and is forced to test new cakes from the company's bakery.


DIANA JOHNSTON LEDEZMA 

 

Diana, Founder of Sense It London and COO of Saint Espresso x Saint Coffee Roasters, has been in the coffee industry for 19 years, across two continents, having started her journey whilst in high school back in the Americas. She has worked within and across the value chain in roles including but not limited to roasting, training, quality control, and operations, from cafe through to green coffee importer. Always looking to further her knowledge in both coffee and other sensory areas, she has completed a postgraduate Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Coffee Excellence, a collaboration between Zurich University of Applied Sciences and the Specialty Coffee Association, alongside a WSET Level 3 in wine with distinction.
 
Diana is no stranger to competition and has been very active on the scene since 2013, having competed in every SCA discipline, and twice competed in Coffee Masters, alongside coaching several others. She is the current UK Roasting Champion, an SCA UK Head Judge, a certified AST in Sensory and Green, and a licensed Q Grader Arabica.

 

AND THE MCS…

 

CELESTE WONG

 

 

 

Actress & Top Coffee Barista, coffee expert and consultant. Born in New Zealand, Celeste has held top positions in leading artisan cafes all over the world for over a decade. Since migrating to the UK, she has been listed as one of London’s top five Baristas in The Financial Times and noted for her excellence in a plethora of other publications. Celeste also writes all things coffee for Olive Magazine as their resident coffee expert. You can see everything she is up to here:  www.thegirlinthecafe.co.uk
 

JAMES WISE 

 

 

Within the world of coffee, there isn’t much James hasn’t done, he’s worked busy bars, managed, owned, and consulted for cafes, won coffee masters, given talks internationally, judged competitions, coached champions, illustrated for global coffee brands, worked with some of the worlds best roasters and helped bring new products to market.