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Simon James

Male

Melbourne

Australia

Profile Information:

What is your position in the coffee industry?: barista, barista trainer, industry professional
Where are you located? ( City and Country ): Melbourne, Australia
How many years have you been in the industry?: 9 Years
If you are a barista or shop, are you interested in a barista exchange with another coffee shop/barista?: maybe
What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?: Everywhere!
About Me:: I love coffee, photography and music.
About My Company:: I'm the Victorian Barista Trainer for Michel's Espresso.
We have 57 stores around Melbourne and Victoria. (Many more nationwide.)
Instaurator roasts our coffee in Sydney, and it's a great, Gold Medal winning product.
What is your favorite thing about the coffee industry?: Exposure to more and more awesome Specialty Coffee.
Website:: http://sdotjames.wordpress.com/

Comment Wall:

Fede Cabrera

Simon,

Unfortunately I didn`t made a good performance, as I wasn`t ready to go on stage ... but I did the best I could (due to the circumstances).
If I made it to Copenhagen (I `ll start training soon) I`m sure I`ll be able to make a better job.

It`s impresive how the coffee business is developed in your country, and I wish I`ll be able to go there in the near future.
I did stop at Sydney during the trip to Tokyo, but before the trip I didn`t had enough time to request the visa (as I was planning to fly through europe).

Rgds,
Federico

Jan 29, 2008
Simon James

If you do come to Melbourne, I'll happily show you around.
I'm going to Copenhagen, so I hope to see you there.

Regards,
Simon.

Jan 30, 2008
Instaurator

Hey Simon it was good catching up last week. Sorry I didn't have more time for you. You've got big shoes to fill when it comes to Zoe but I know you can do it! Remember it's about how the coffee tastes! Go for it. By the way I love monkey coffee! Cheers..call me any time.

Mar 14, 2008
Instaurator

Hah! Wolfie is probably just wanting to know so he can pass it on to Dave Makin. (Just joking Dave!) Hey tips for winning barista competitions or tips for surviving in tact? The guys who go all the way and win are extraordinarily dedicated and disciplined without exception. They also play the game smart! Because much of competitions are about human emotions rather than coffee taste and this can be very tricky. I'm not sure what percentage coffee taste plays in the total score in reality. I'd say at this stage of competition development it is probably the human pr element which dominates. So its probably more about winning people over rather than nuances of coffee blends. For me though as you know, I'd rather taste coffees blind and not know who made it or how, unless of course it was something that tasted extraordinary. Then I'd be deadly curious and travel to the remotest head-hunting jungle at the end of the eath to try and find out what made the difference. Good luck is about all I can say!

Mar 17, 2008
Instaurator

Hah! Wolfie is probably just wanting to know so he can pass it on to Dave Makin. (Just joking Dave!) Hey tips for winning barista competitions or tips for surviving in tact? The guys who go all the way and win are extraordinarily dedicated and disciplined without exception. They also play the game smart! Because much of competitions are about human emotions rather than coffee taste and this can be very tricky. I'm not sure what percentage coffee taste plays in the total score in reality. I'd say at this stage of competition development it is probably the human pr element which dominates. So its probably more about winning people over rather than nuances of coffee blends. For me though as you know, I'd rather taste coffees blind and not know who made it or how, unless of course it was something that tasted extraordinary. Then I'd be deadly curious and travel to the remotest head-hunting jungle at the end of the eath to try and find out what made the difference. Good luck is about all I can say!

Mar 17, 2008
Instaurator

Hah! Wolfie is probably just wanting to know so he can pass it on to Dave Makin. (Just joking Dave!) Hey tips for winning barista competitions or tips for surviving in tact? The guys who go all the way and win are extraordinarily dedicated and disciplined without exception. They also play the game smart! Because much of competitions are about human emotions rather than coffee taste and this can be very tricky. I'm not sure what percentage coffee taste plays in the total score in reality. I'd say at this stage of competition development it is probably the human pr element which dominates. So its probably more about winning people over rather than nuances of coffee blends. For me though as you know, I'd rather taste coffees blind and not know who made it or how, unless of course it was something that tasted extraordinary. Then I'd be deadly curious and travel to the remotest head-hunting jungle at the end of the eath to try and find out what made the difference. Good luck is about all I can say!

Mar 17, 2008
Instaurator

Hah! Wolfie is probably just wanting to know so he can pass it on to Dave Makin. (Just joking Dave!) Hey tips for winning barista competitions or tips for surviving in tact? The guys who go all the way and win are extraordinarily dedicated and disciplined without exception. They also play the game smart! Because much of competitions are about human emotions rather than coffee taste and this can be very tricky. I'm not sure what percentage coffee taste plays in the total score in reality. I'd say at this stage of competition development it is probably the human pr element which dominates. So its probably more about winning people over rather than nuances of coffee blends. For me though as you know, I'd rather taste coffees blind and not know who made it or how, unless of course it was something that tasted extraordinary. Then I'd be deadly curious and travel to the remotest head-hunting jungle at the end of the eath to try and find out what made the difference. Good luck is about all I can say!

Mar 17, 2008
Instaurator

Hah! Wolfie is probably just wanting to know so he can pass it on to Dave Makin. (Just joking Dave!) Hey tips for winning barista competitions or tips for surviving in tact? The guys who go all the way and win are extraordinarily dedicated and disciplined without exception. They also play the game smart! Because much of competitions are about human emotions rather than coffee taste and this can be very tricky. I'm not sure what percentage coffee taste plays in the total score in reality. I'd say at this stage of competition development it is probably the human pr element which dominates. So its probably more about winning people over rather than nuances of coffee blends. For me though as you know, I'd rather taste coffees blind and not know who made it or how, unless of course it was something that tasted extraordinary. Then I'd be deadly curious and travel to the remotest head-hunting jungle at the end of the eath to try and find out what made the difference. Good luck is about all I can say!

Mar 17, 2008
Instaurator

Hah! Wolfie is probably just wanting to know so he can pass it on to Dave Makin. (Just joking Dave!) Hey tips for winning barista competitions or tips for surviving in tact? The guys who go all the way and win are extraordinarily dedicated and disciplined without exception. They also play the game smart! Because much of competitions are about human emotions rather than coffee taste and this can be very tricky. I'm not sure what percentage coffee taste plays in the total score in reality. I'd say at this stage of competition development it is probably the human pr element which dominates. So its probably more about winning people over rather than nuances of coffee blends. For me though as you know, I'd rather taste coffees blind and not know who made it or how, unless of course it was something that tasted extraordinary. Then I'd be deadly curious and travel to the remotest head-hunting jungle at the end of the eath to try and find out what made the difference. Good luck is about all I can say!

Mar 17, 2008
Instaurator

Hey Simon Well done in the Victorian champs. Keep going for it! Mr Makin told me this is the last Victorian comp he is going in!

Apr 1, 2008
Jason Haeger

Hi Simon. I went to the regional leading up to the upcoming USBC (but I will not be competing in the national comp this year).

I saw that you have competed recently. I saw that you were in the final round. Congrats!

Apr 30, 2008
Jason Haeger

I placed 3rd in my regional. Like you, I had a "bad day at the office" in the final round.

I had top place after the 1st round. (it was only two rounds)

I had only 4 hours of sleep the night before (one hour commute home, and I wasn't just competing, I was also networking when I wasn't competing). Doing all my own stuff. I had to run it alone, and it's always harder without help. Enough excuses.

My signature drink was called Café Hermosa, and it was warmed orange blossom honey, a single shot of Finca Vista Hermosa (Guatemala, and one of the inspirations for the name), and clove-infused milk foam. It was quite tasty, but the coffee had no body.

I hope you do well in your national comp. I will be competing in next year's USBC, however. Unfortunately, that's an entire year away from now.

Good luck!

Apr 30, 2008
Jason Haeger

Your signature drink sounds delicious. (and complicated)

I hope someone snaps some pictures of your performance.

Apr 30, 2008
Joon-Suk (Jason) Kim

Yeah i think it is a good time to start some networks around the world :P and mingle with other baristas

cheers Simon

May 30, 2008
Carl Sara

Cool. I get in on the 14th as well. staying at the Hotel Angsar. give me a text when your about.

Jun 6, 2008