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Ellie Matuszak

Female

Chicago USA

United States

Profile Information:

What is your position in the coffee industry?: barista, barista trainer, industry professional
Where are you located? ( City and Country ): Chicago, USA
How many years have you been in the industry?: 13
If you are a barista or shop, are you interested in a barista exchange with another coffee shop/barista?: no
What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?: Coffee-producing countries
About Me:: I started in the coffee industry in 1999 as a barista in the original Intelligentsia store on Broadway in Chicago. After a few years, I started designing Intelligentsia's training program, adding more trainers over the years and growing the program to be a multi-faceted Training Department offering educational programs for wholesale customers, staff, the public, and the barista competitions. In 2007 after moving to Los Angeles, I left Intelligentsia to join Coffee Solutions as a partner in charge of the training division, which meant spending most of my days working with coffee companies of all shapes and sizes to develop unique training programs for them. In February 2010 I accepted a full-time position at the Specialty Coffee Association of America as the first-ever Director of Professional Development for any coffee trade association as far as I know. I would love to talk to you about SCAA's educational programs and what is available for professional development for baristas and retailers.

Before joining SCAA Staff, I had wonderful opportunities to participate in the industry as a volunteer, including as a 2-time USBC finalist and Great Lakes Regional Barista Champion, SCAA Board of Directors and Chair of the SCAA Training Committee and Professional Development Committee, and Barista Guild Executive Council Director, including a year as Chair. I've had a lot of wonderful and rewarding opportunities to teach workshops and give educational presentations including Coffee Corps assignments in Guatemala, Colombia, and El Salvador.

My focus, as my title suggests, is to provide and connect YOU with the best professional development opportunities in coffee! Please let me know how I can help you develop your own custom education track.
About My Company:: The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) is the world's largest coffee trade association.
What is your favorite thing about the coffee industry?: opportunity to make the world a better place
Website:: http://scaa.org

Comment Wall:

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Jay Lijewski (TacomaPenna)

Ellie,
It was great to meet you in Cleveland. We will run into each other at CFDC. Take care

Jan 25, 2008
Pablo Castaneda

Have u been Ellie, hope everything is going well. Heading to LA in a couple of weeks actually, hope you are doing great.

Pablo

Jan 25, 2008
Heather Perry

I'll call you tomorrow, you're office or cell?

Heather

Jan 27, 2008
ChrisSchooley

Hey Sugar Bear, Schooley babe #2 is just a couple weeks away. Feb. 25 or so. Maybe a leap year baby.

Jan 28, 2008
ben brown

Hey, Ellie. I hope all is well on both the coasts!

Jan 30, 2008
Peter Tam

Hi,

You have got very good experience and responsibility of US specialty coffee industry, which has got also important influence to the world coffee industry.

I do expect that you have a chance to visit China and we can meet for a while to talk about coffee, one day.

Peter in Beijing

Feb 4, 2008
Fede Cabrera

Hi Ellie,
You may already know about my venture. I`m starting to recruit world-class trainers & baristas to train the local baristas at the american coffee growing countries.
The idea is to cover the expenses (air ticket+hotel+food) for a 3 day trip (at least) with sponsor support. The venture will start by February 2009, if you`re able to donate a couple of days of your time, to promote the barista profession, please let me know, and I`ll send you the schedule.
Best regards,
Federico

Feb 10, 2008
HENRY HUECK

Hi Elli...long time without seing you...
where have you been?
hh

Feb 15, 2008
Jeff Taylor

Missed you at Cho's last night! He throws a good party. Like my picture? :O)

Feb 16, 2008
Jason Dominy

Thanks for all the help! It was great to meet you, and can't wait to work with you in the future. You are still my idol. Just to remind you. There.

Feb 18, 2008
ben brown

Nice to see you as well. I hope you stay warm in Boston.

Feb 19, 2008
Heather Ringwood

HI Ellie - Good to spend some time - tho' brief - with you this weekend. Let me know - I am here to help!

Feb 20, 2008
Shanna Germain

Adorable girl! It was SO good to hang with you in D.C. Let's make a habit of that, yeah?

Best, s.

Feb 21, 2008
Shanna Germain

Yes, we're staying late! Big party on Monday night after, I think. Hurray.

I'm thinking about bringing a boy...I mean, the boy...too. Especially since people seem to think he's just a cardboard cut-out that I whip out at convenient times!

Cool. I want to learn to surf. Do you know how?

Best, s.

Feb 21, 2008
scott conary

No Doubt! I can't believe I never learned that game in Summer camp....jealous of you Big Island hoppers, but I can't be everywhere at once I guess. Let's keep shooting for more fun in the future...its a goal worth fighting for

Feb 21, 2008
Z Bancroft

I took your class at the show last year in Long Beach. It was there that I started truly caring about the quality. Thanks for the kick in the pants, informative class and your willingness to share knowledge. We are learning tons of stuff and have a long way to go, but if you are ever passing through Camarillo, stop by for a freebie.

Thanks,
Zach
palermocoffee.com

Feb 21, 2008
Jason Dominy

Did I mention you rock?

Feb 22, 2008
Z Bancroft

Funny thing is, I am sitting in Inteli right now. So, I hear you are now consulting and no longer with them. :( But good luck with consulting, you rock.
Z

Feb 25, 2008
Gina Palandri

Hi Ellie!!!

Feb 25, 2008
Stephen

Hey Ellie, it was nice meeting you at the SCAA seminar in Cleveland. Hopefully I'll see you around soon.

Feb 26, 2008
5.0 Reasons

I'm really diggin' that new picture.

Cheese curd...delicious.

Feb 28, 2008
Luis Rodriguez

Hola Ellie! si ya regrese... estuvo buenisimo... muchas pintas de cerveza con Lorena y vi a buenos amigos... espero que todo este bien contigo! un abrazo...

L

Mar 3, 2008
ben brown

Hey, Ellie. I just opened the bag of Counter Culture coffee that I took from the show that had your name on it. Man, that stuff is delicious. It is a bit of a darker roast than most are doing out here, the Tuscano, similar to Batdorf's Bohemian blend. Anyway, thanks for letting us have that, everybody is enjoying it. Check you later.

Mar 4, 2008
Jonathon Sepulveda

Ellie, its was great to see you at the D.C. show. How did you get that awesome gig? Next time your in Orange County let me know, there are some great new coffee shops you should visit. Take care.

Mar 4, 2008
Jeff Taylor

ahhhh, all out of yo Curd? See you later this week! cheers

Mar 10, 2008
Ray Hencken

Ha ha - so cold. Nice meeting you too!

Mar 10, 2008
Lindsey Myers

#2 has arrived! It's been a long time. I see you have a new position, hope it's all going great for you!

Mar 10, 2008
brian aliffi

No, i get to cup the good coffee. Chad's got the defects. Love to see you at the class but i'm also doing USBC stuff so either way we're liable to bump into one another.

Mar 19, 2008
Jason Dominy

Ellie, oh Ellie. Where might life have you at the moment? How's things going in your world?

Mar 20, 2008
Nick Griffith

Good to see you over the weekend. We really should hang out more often... I mean we live close enough to each other.
Take care

Apr 1, 2008
Jason Dominy

what a stinking honor to get to work with you. it's always a pleasure. see you in MN!

Apr 9, 2008
Nick Griffith

Dinner sounds great. And Lilly would love the beach... and BIG MIKES!!

Apr 9, 2008
Rob Tuttle

So I saw you for a whole 30 seconds when you came to Atlanta...what's up with that? I was hoping to do dinner or something. Oh well...
See you in a couple of weeks!

Apr 21, 2008
Jonathon Sepulveda

Hey Ellie, I am sorry I didn't get back to u . . .sooner. I have been super busy the last few months. I had three clients open last month. You know, I will be moving to Colorado next month and I am still looking for a good coffee shop to pick up some hours. Know anybody? I figured u might. I hope u r well. ttyl

May 6, 2008
Nicole Michaud

Good to see you too Ellie. Congrats on the new gig!!!
Alas, I do not think I will make it to Hawaii. It's sandwiched between two other shows in Chicago and Texas. Hawaii sounds much more fun though...... Will you be in Texas for the Ultimate Barista Challenge? If you are we should go get BBQ or something.....

May 13, 2008
Nicole Michaud

Back in your old stompin grounds eh?
Schedules not bad actually. Headed in Thursday afternoon departing Wednesday. Let's attemt to get together Sunday or Monday? Let me know if you will have time...

May 13, 2008
Chuck Gutilla

Hi Ellie. I will send it tomorrow. I named Blackland Coffee for the Blackland Prairie that used to stretch across this part of Texas. Also, there used to be a little town a mile or two from here called Blackland, TX. The soil here is this black clay. My kids mold it and make stuff. But Red Tail Espresso is named for the red tail hawk. It's the top preditor around here after the cayotes. I hope you enjoy the coffee. Please let me know what you think. Great seeing you in Minneapolis.

Jun 4, 2008
Chuck Gutilla

Hi Ellie. Did the coffee arrive?

Jun 12, 2008
mike cubbage

hey Ellie. Sounds like fun and interesting work you are doing. I enjoy training because i believe it helps you fine-tune your own game just that much more. If you're ever near Spokane and Coeur d'Alene drop me a line. There is a few good spots to get coffee. I would love to go to S. America like you did.

Jul 2, 2008
Erika

hey Ellie! I am Erika from Ramacafe, was a pleasure for me to know and help you those days. I found you here and i will be glad that you add me.
in case..here is my mail. melissaerik@hotmail.com
bye and take care!!
Erika Dávila.

Sep 5, 2008
Guillermo Ordenana

Hello Ellie, thank you for your time in Nicaragua and sharing your knowledge with the Nicaraguan baristas.

Sep 6, 2008
Shiloh Nelson

Hello Ellie, are you going to Coffee Fest? I think we (might) be roomies? I could be completely mistaken... just the same, we are involved similarly in this industry, just wanted to say hello regardless. Maybe I will see you at CF Seattle!

Sep 8, 2008
Shiloh Nelson

ellie, left you a message at the hotel, I am going to try to stay at both our Company's and with you. I have been told you are a ton of fun, and know a lot. I can't wait to meet you. Hope you got the message and were not upset.

Sep 11, 2008
Adrian Badger

Hi Ellie - Great meeting you at the Taylor Maid / Simonelli demo last week. Thanks for being nice about my latte!

Sep 23, 2008
Brady

Hi Ellie. Great to meet you this weekend. Hope you had fun here in Charlotte and have a safe trip back.

Nov 9, 2008
Steve MacDowall

Hello Ellie, greetings from Canada - Steve

Dec 1, 2008
peg bono

Hey Ellie. I met you at Intelligentsia in Chicago years ago. It's great to follow your career and read about your many accomplishments. Best wishes for continued success, you are a pioneer!

Jan 1, 2009
Kurt Stauffer

Hey Ellie,
See you at Coffee Fest.
Kurt

Jan 21, 2009
Frank McGinty

Not sure how much you check your bx, but it was good juding with you this week in portland. Keep in touch, Kaldi's would love to get you down to STL for a Jam. Hopefully we'll bump into you at WBC/Atlanta.

Mar 10, 2009
Scott Bruggman

Hey it was great getting to meet you and judge with you this weekend. Hope to see you at Atlanta

Mar 10, 2009

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