What is your position in the coffee industry?
barista trainer, consultant
Where are you located? ( City and Country )
Saigon, Vietnam
How many years have you been in the industry?
5
If you are a barista or shop, are you interested in a barista exchange with another coffee shop/barista?
yes
Tell us more about your coffee shop or barista skills.
HI, I love everything espresso. I became extremely passionate while working in Sydney Australia for a top roaster, Tobys Estate. I went on a trip to Vietnam in 2007 and never left. I began working privately, coffee consulting/barista training in Vietnam. I then became training manager for a large Italian coffee roaster. I travel throughout Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos barista training, managing staff and so many other variables associated with making great coffee. I speak mostly Vietnamese during my trainings which is essential in this country. The challenges here are many but its great! My passion continues to grow. Espresso is new to Vietnam but the country has a long history of coffee, introduced by the french over a century ago. Vietnamese coffee is quite different as it is usually roasted with many things such as butter, corn, soy beans, cocoa, etc... This has created a coffee culture associating coffee flavour with many other additives. It will be a while before the locals take to espresso but it will come. For now the market is focused on tourists and expats living in Vietnam.
What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?
Every continent
About Me:
I graduated with a degree in Environmental Science and also studied Fitness and Human Nutrition and have worked in these and various other fields. I have lived in Korea, Japan, Italy, Australia, and now Vietnam. Experiencing different cultures is addictive, but definately challenging. Vietnam is my home now and probably will be for a while.
What is your favorite thing about the coffee industry?
Forging passion among baristas
