Workshop Description

Join us for an in-depth exploration of the growing trend of infused green coffee—a processing technique that is making waves in the coffee landscape. In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn about this trending category of coffee, including how it's made at origin, what sets it apart from other coffee processing methods, and its potential advantages and drawbacks.

Date: Saturday June 28, 2025
Time: 10:30 - 13:00
Location: Room R

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

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Instructors & Leads

Mario Fernández (he/him)
Technical Officer, Specialty Coffee Association

Mario Fernández, is a Food Technologist with a Ph.D in Food Science. He is currently the SCA Technical Officer and former CQI Technical Director. He has a vast experience in coffee sensory training and assessment and it’s a Q-Grader and Q-Processing instructor. With more than 30 years of experience in “Cafeología” and applied coffee flavor science.

Workshop Description

Foster exceptional leadership and cultivate a motivated team! In this workshop led by Federica Parisi, established specialty coffee shop owners and emerging multi-site operators and managers will learn proven techniques to level up their leadership through effective communication, team empowerment, and creating a positive work culture. Discover the secrets to nurturing a happy, engaged, and growing team while driving productivity and customer satisfaction—setting the stage for continued excellence as your team expands.

This workshop is best suited to attendees who have already established basic management and leadership structures within their business but who wish to grow their skills or understand how to scale these to meet the needs of staff across multiple locations.

Date: Saturday June 28, 2025
Time: 10:30 - 13:00
Location: Room S

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

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Instructors & Leads

Federica Parisi (she/her)
Coffee & Beverages Community Director, Simonelli Group SpA

Hello I'm Federica Parisi, Coffee and Beverages Community Director at Simonelli Group. I'm an active member in the coffee industry for 14 years (Nespresso & Starbucks), I contribute to elevating coffee education standards.​

I'm dedicated to high-quality coffee education in the industry, committed to fostering knowledge and excellence among coffee professionals.​

I'm a proud Authorized SCA Trainer (Sensory, Brewing, Introduction to Coffee, CVA for Cuppers, Coffee Sustainability)​ and 2y experienced SCA judge ​(Barista and Brewers)​. I'm a European Specialty Tea Association Trainer​ as well and a proud Victoria Arduino E1 Prima EXP owner. I'm Italian and I live in Switzerland.

Workshop Description

A purposeful green-coffee-buying strategy is key to the success of every coffee roasting business. This workshop will introduce participants to the fundamentals of effective green purchasing. Students will learn standard industry practices for how coffee is bought, traded and transported; setting the stage for successful relationships with green coffee suppliers and logistics providers. Participants will also discuss other key factors in a green-buying program including sourcing straegies, values statements, forecasting and cash flow management. In addition to an interactive lecture, students will work in small groups on a variety of activities.

Date: Saturday June 28, 2025
Time: 10:30 - 13:00
Location: Room U

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

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Instructors & Leads

Gabriel Chait

Workshop Description

With the expansion of cold brew in the global market, there is a greater need to understand how coffees will perform with this brewing method. Although hot cupping is familiar to coffee professionals, many are unfamiliar with cold brew sensory analysis techniques. However, if you’re going to brew coffee cold, you should also cup it cold.

Date: Saturday June 28, 2025
Time: 10:30 - 13:00
Location: Room T

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

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Instructors & Leads

Julia Leach (she/her)
President, Toddy, LLC

Julia Leach leads Toddy, LLC, a company that has been at the forefront of cold brewing since 1964. Julia’s team works with cafes and roasters worldwide to help them develop cold brew programs that highlight the nuances of the brewing method and inspire their customers to fall in love with cold brew. She is passionate about the art and science of cold brewing and is active in developing quality cold brew education for the coffee industry. She has presented at SCA Re:co, SCA Expo, NCA Convention, and also frequently presents at industry events around the world.

Workshop Description

The journey of your coffee from the farm, through the warehouse, and onto the roastery’s doorstep involves many hands, a tangled web of costs, and more surprises than you signed up for. This session will shine a light on the key factors that drive the final price of delivered coffee—and why it sometimes feels like things are spinning out of control. Did your NET 30 terms suddenly vanish? Are you getting hit with extra charges for palletization and strapping? What about those surprise financing costs you didn’t even see coming?

If you’re a roaster working with multiple importers or distributors, you’ve probably seen it all—some give you one straightforward price per pound, while others tack on charges that make you question everything. And let’s face it, with today’s sky-high coffee prices, the whole supply chain is feeling the squeeze. Your suppliers are trying to optimize their costs, and now it’s your turn to figure out what you’re actually paying for, what you should be paying for, and how to call out the nonsense when surprise charges show up on your invoice.

This session is here to arm roasters and coffee pros with a clearer understanding of the true cost structure of delivered coffee. You’ll walk away knowing how these high prices affect you, what’s reasonable to expect from your suppliers, and how to protect your margins while keeping everyone honest.

Date: Friday June 27, 2025
Time: 14:30 - 17:00
Location: Room T

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

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Instructors & Leads

Sylwia Padiasek (she/her)
Co-Founder and CEO, Ocafi

Sylwia Padiasek is the Co-Founder and CEO of Ocafi US, where transparency in the coffee industry isn’t just a concept—it’s the foundation of everything they do. Ocafi owns the entire supply chain, from growing coffee on its farms to ensuring every bean meets strict quality standards at Fazenda Pinheiro, all the way through exporting, importing, and delivering to roasters. Running North American operations, Sylwia wears many hats—managing logistics, QC, sales, and accounting. A certified Q Arabica Grader, she also holds a Master’s degree in Sustainability in Agriculture and Food Production, ensuring every step of the coffee journey is handled with care for people and the environment.

Workshop Description

Pricing decisions across the supply chain have a direct measurable impact on the livelihoods, resilience, and prosperity of coffee producing communities. This workshop gives roasters and other coffee enterprises the tools and insights to assess the impact of their pricing strategies on smallholder producers welfare. Participants will explore impactful pricing models—such as long-term contracts, living income benchmarks, community investment and traceable price guarantees, among others—that go beyond c-market rates and business as usual models, to provide meaningful support and incentives for coffee producers.

Designed for roasters of all sizes, this workshop helps participants assess and adapt pricing practices aligned with business goals and producer prosperity. Through practical exercises and open-source tools, attendees will gain a solid understanding of the data needed to evaluate price impact, develop strategies to work with supply chain partners to assess impact, and craft communication tools that raise awareness with employees and end consumers. By the end of the session, roasters will have the skills to assess and monitor the impact of their pricing strategies, using this insight as a pivotal tool to build stronger, more resilient supply chain.

Date: Friday June 27, 2025
Time: 14:30 - 17:00
Location: Room U

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

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Instructors & Leads

Pedro Manga (he/him)
Prosperity & Impact Leader, Caravela Coffee

With dual degrees in Chemical Engineering and Biology, and a Master’s in Environmental Sciences, Pedro specializes in designing environmental and social impact assessment methodologies. He has experience in developing learning programs that encourage a responsible use of natural resources. As the Sustainability & Impact Coordinator for Caravela Coffee, Pedro integrates comprehensive impact assessments within Latin American coffee communities, crafting communication and reporting strategies to inspire stakeholders throughout the coffee supply chain. His work is dedicated to fostering sustainable practices and highlighting their value in the global specialty coffee industry.

Workshop Description

Join us for an engaging workshop dedicated to exploring the fascinating world of coffee species and their genetic diversity. Participants will delve into the rich history and biology of various coffee plants, learning about the unique traits and flavors that each species offers. This interactive session will not only focus on the scientific aspects of coffee genetics but will also include a sensory tasting experience, where attendees can sample a curated selection of different coffee species. Guided by experts, participants will discover how genetic variations influence flavor profiles, aroma, and overall coffee quality. This workshop promises to be an enlightening journey for coffee enthusiasts and professionals alike, enhancing both knowledge and appreciation of this beloved beverage.

Date: Friday June 27, 2025
Time: 14:30 - 17:30
Location: Room R

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

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Instructors & Leads

Sotiros Christos (he/him)
Coffee Expert Manager, Nestle Professional

Christos Sotiros is a seasoned professional in the coffee industry with over 12 years of experience. He has achieved remarkable success, being crowned the Swiss barista champion in both 2023 and 2025, and reaching the semifinals of the World Barista Championship in 2023. Since 2016, Christos has been an authorized SCA trainer, sharing his expertise and knowledge with aspiring baristas. Additionally, he holds the prestigious titles of Q Arabica grader and CVA ambassador. Notably, Christos has played a pivotal role within Nestle's internal network, collaborating closely with the R&D team and the agricultural research center to develop global coffee capabilities and educational programs.

Estuardo Gómez (he/him)
Coffee Quality Specialist, Nestlé Suisse S.A.

Estuardo Gómez is a Coffee Quality Specialist at the Nescafé Factory in Orbe, Switzerland. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management and a Master of Science in Applied Agriculture. With experience in innovation and new product development at the Nestlé Product Technology Center for Coffee, Estuardo also managed operations at a coffee company in Honduras, promoting sustainability and specialty coffee production. A certified Q Grader Arabica since 2016, He believes that every producer has a vital role in the diverse spectrum of coffee offerings and applications.

Workshop Description

In a rapidly consolidating global coffee market, small and medium-sized businesses face unique challenges—but also opportunities to scale. This over 2.5 hour hands-on workshop is designed to help participants develop tailored strategies to grow and thrive amidst consolidation pressures. Led by seasoned entrepreneur Lukasz Mrowinski, former CEO of Etno Cafe—the largest Polish-originated coffee shop chain—this session will guide participants through real-world exercises and frameworks based on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), venture capital (VC), private equity (PE), and technology integration.

Using Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle (experience, reflection, conceptualization, and experimentation), attendees will engage in practical exercises, peer collaboration, and case studies to understand key growth opportunities, evaluate investment or partnership options, and design actionable growth plans. Participants will explore market positioning, funding strategies, and how to adopt technological innovations like supply chain optimization and smart brewing to increase profitability and competitiveness.

By the end of the workshop, attendees will leave with an initial actionable roadmap tailored to their business needs, including short-term and long-term strategies for scaling while maintaining brand identity. This workshop is ideal for coffee entrepreneurs, small business owners, and industry stakeholders seeking hands-on, practical guidance for scaling their businesses in a dynamic, consolidating market.

Date: Friday June 27, 2025
Time: 14:30 - 17:00
Location: Room S

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

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Lukasz Mrowinski (he/him)
Speaker, The Coffee Fund

Lukasz Mrowinski is a seasoned entrepreneur and former co-founder and CEO of Etno Cafe, the largest Polish-originated coffee shop chain. Under his leadership, the company expanded to 28 cafes, a roastery, and a cold brewery. Known for its rapid growth and innovation, Etno Cafe secured 7th place
in the Food and Beverages category and 196th overall in the Financial Times FT 1000 ranking of Europe’s fastest-growing companies in 2020.

Lukasz played a key role in driving the company’s success through organic expansion and strategic M&A, leveraging investor funds to scale its operations. In 2022, he exited Etno Cafe to focus on M&A ventures including joining the Harbour Club, the largest global organization of M&A specialists.

He is also an experienced speaker (the presentations at World of Coffee Copenhagen 2024, World of Coffee Dubai 2025, and the Specialty Coffee Expo 2025 in Houston), with his lectures on coffee market consolidation and growth strategies receiving high acclaim. His deep experience positions him as a strong workshop facilitator for entrepreneurs navigating market challenges.

Lukasz is also the host of the Coffee On Air podcast, where he shares his practical approach to the coffee business and related industries.

Workshop Description

The Taste, Describe, Create Workshop introduces the Coffee Value Assessment Descriptive Form to coffee professionals new to the CVA. The workshop advances the knowledge and understanding of the Descriptive Form by applying it to the coffee blend creation process. Working collaboratively in small groups, we will recreate a reference coffee blend. After completing this workshop, attendees will gain valuable first-hand insight into the multiple uses of the CVA Descriptive Form. The practical application of the form in a guided workshop setting will build the confidence necessary to include the CVA as part of their product development and quality control processes.

Date: Friday June 27, 2025
Time: 10:30 - 13:00
Location: Room R

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

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Instructors & Leads

Todd Arnette (he/him)
Q Instructor & Value Chain Consultant, Academy of Coffee Excellence

Todd Arnette has been in the coffee industry since 1995. Owner of the Academy of Coffee Excellence and Quality Evaluation Manager for CQI has enabled Mr. Arnette to work closely with Producers, Importers and Roasters at origin, in training labs and roasteries around the world. Areas of expertise include: Post-Harvest Processing and Green Coffee Quality Evaluation, Green Coffee Buying, Production Roasting & Coffee Product Development, Food Safety Hazard Analysis Planning & Implementation – aligned with SQF and US FDA Food Safety Law. Mr. Arnette has attended all Roasters Guild Retreats except for 3 and encourages you to stay connected and involved.

Workshop Description

This workshop explores the diversity of coffee-consuming and producing cultures around the world by examining different coffee brewing methods and the influence of geography and history on flavor profiles (also known as terroir). Participants will gain insights into myriad factors that shape the way coffee is cultivated, prepared, and appreciated across cultures. This workshop offers a focused opportunity to deepen your understanding of how history and terroir shape the art of coffee brewing.

Date: Friday June 27, 2025
Time: 10:30 - 13:00
Location: Room S

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

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Instructors & Leads

Noa Berger (she/her)
Sociology PhD Candidate, EHESS

Noa Berger is a sociology PhD candidate at the EHESS, Paris, studying the specialty coffee market in Brazil and France. Her work has been published in Le Monde, 25 Magazine, Standart and others. She regularly speaks at industry events (Re:Co Boston, WOC and others).

Workshop Description

Beyond its major role of preservation, packaging is an overlooked (and powerful) branding and marketing tool. Packaging plays an important role in attracting the consumers’ attention and creating sensory, hedonic, and symbolic expectations, which may affect actual product experience. This workshop will present the results of a series of experiments designed to investigate how design elements of the coffee packaging impact specialty coffee consumers’ evaluation and choice. More specifically, this engaging workshop drawn on Dr. Carvalho's innovative research published in Food Research International, will demonstrate how colors have a pivotal role in shaping consumer expectations and sensory experiences. Learn how to leverage crossmodal correspondences—linking colors to specific flavors—to optimize your packaging and appeal to target consumer segments.

During this interactive session, participants will:
- Learn the science: Gain insights into the latest findings on how color affects our perception of flavor and aroma and understand the psychological principles behind consumer choices.
- Experience the research: Participate in a sensory tasting that will bring the concept of crossmodal correspondence to life.
- Apply the Findings: Discover actionable strategies to elevate your coffee branding and packaging, making it more appealing to consumers. Participants will leave equipped with practical tools to leverage color psychology in their marketing efforts.

Date: Friday June 27, 2025
Time: 10:30 - 13:00
Location: Room U

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

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Instructors & Leads

Dr. Fabiana Carvalho

Dr. Fabiana Carvalho is a neuroscientist specializing in sensory perception and consumer behavior, particularly in the context of food and beverages. Her recent research on the influence of packaging color on coffee consumption has been groundbreaking, revealing the intricate connections between color, taste expectations, and consumer decision-making.

Workshop Description

This interactive workshop is designed to enhance sensory skills critical for evaluating specialty coffee. Participants will gain practical experience using the Coffee Flavor Wheel as a framework for identifying and describing coffee flavors. The session includes focused exercises in flavor recognition, sweetness evaluation, and mouthfeel assessment, helping attendees refine their palate and improve their sensory accuracy. Whether you are a coffee professional or enthusiast, this workshop offers tools and techniques to deepen your appreciation of coffee’s complexity and elevate your sensory expertise.

Date: Friday June 27, 2025
Time: 10:30 - 13:00
Location: Room T

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

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Instructors & Leads

Catherine Qinru Gu (she/her)
Founder and CEO, Ecofarm Coffee (China) Trading Co., Ltd

Founder of Ecofarm Coffee, one of China’s leading specialty coffee brands, with a yearly importation of specialty green bean volume over 2000MT and 800+ different lots. Catherine Qinru Gu has dedicated over 13 years to the coffee industry. Her career is marked by close collaborations with coffee-growing communities both in China and around the globe.

As a certified coffee sensory expert and World Coffee Events (WCE) representative, Catherine brings a wealth of expertise to the international coffee community. She has served as a sensory head judge and organizer for numerous WCE competitions in countries and regions like China, UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Poland, etc, where her unparalleled palate and deep understanding of coffee tasting have earned her significant recognition.

Catherine’s sensory expertise has played a key role in helping Ecofarm Coffee provide professional green bean sourcing services to global coffee brands. Currently, Ecofarm Coffee collaborates with over 5000 coffee brands across China, Southeast Asia, and beyond. Her deep understanding of flavor profiles and market trends has also served as a source of market inspiration, guiding the selection of premium beans that meet the diverse needs of roasters worldwide.

Her passion for coffee and commitment to the craft have made her a major influencer, shaping the future of the industry in China and beyond. Through her work, Catherine continues to inspire hundreds of thousands of coffee lovers, fostering a greater appreciation for the artistry and complexity behind each cup.

Workshop Description

Embark on a sensory journey that blends the unique flavors of Brazilian coffees with carefully designed olfactory and gustatory exercises. This workshop aims to train the senses, enhancing coffee appreciation through memory, perception, and sensory exploration. Together, we will analyze the sensory experience of coffee through interactive taste and aroma exercises. Participants will be encouraged to feel, explore, and create their own interpretations, transforming a simple tasting into a deep, mindful connection with coffee and the world around them.

We will feature Brazilian coffees with distinct sensory profiles, including Arabica, Conilon, and Amazonian Robusta, offering a unique opportunity to explore flavors from different regions. In harmony with the tasting, we will engage in an olfactory exercise to identify aromas naturally found in these coffees. Using the Coffee Taster’s Flavor Wheel, we will navigate flavor attributes and conduct a comparative tasting of the coffees brewed.

Additionally, we will briefly discuss the fundamentals of aroma, taste, and flavor. This workshop is designed for anyone eager to expand their sensory repertoire and develop new perceptions, whether they are coffee professionals or enthusiasts.

Date: Thursday June 26, 2025
Time: 14:30 - 17:00
Location: Room R

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

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Instructors & Leads

Leticia Paiva (she/her)
Sensory Skills Trainer

Leticia Paiva is a Sensory Skills Trainer specializing in specialty coffee. Coming from a Brazilian coffee-producing family, she combines deep-rooted knowledge with extensive training in the field. She has taken SCA courses and studied Specialty Coffee Production, Classification, and Cupping, refining her expertise in sensory analysis. Leticia develops immersive workshops that enhance sensory perception, not only refining tasting skills but also fostering a deeper inner connection through flavors and aromas. At World of Coffee Geneva, she will lead a hands-on session designed to unlock sensory potential, guiding participants through exercises that expand flavor recognition, sensory awareness, and personal connection with coffee.

Workshop Description

In today’s competitive coffee market, great coffee isn’t enough - how you tell your story can make the difference between getting noticed and being overlooked. This hands-on workshop will equip coffee professionals with the storytelling skills needed to connect with buyers, align with their values, and improve commercial opportunities.

Participants will learn how storytelling can help communicate their company’s unique identity, sustainability efforts, and extrinsic attributes in a way that resonates. Using proven techniques such as structured storytelling frameworks and values-driven narratives, attendees will craft their own compelling stories and practice applying them effectively.

Through interactive exercises and live feedback, participants will leave with practical storytelling tools to position their product more effectively. Whether their goal is to increase sample consideration, build stronger relationships with buyers, or stand out in a crowded marketplace, this workshop will provide a clear, structured approach to crafting impactful stories.

Date: Thursday June 26, 2025
Time: 14:30 - 17:00
Location: Room S

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

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Instructors & Leads

Maria Barikhina (she/her)
Marketing Strategist & Storyteller

Maria Barikhina is a marketing and storytelling consultant, specialising in sustainability, messaging and branding. In her communications role at Sancoffee - SCA Sustainability Awards Winner 2024 - she works closely with producers, roasters, and industry partners to craft narratives that highlight the value of sustainable practices and direct relationships.

Previously, Maria was the Head of Marketing at Algrano, where she designed the company’s communication and marketing strategy.

She also runs Zurich Storytellers, a Swiss-based non-profit community of 2,000 members, where she co-hosts live storytelling shows to help people practice public speaking and connect through authentic narratives.

Workshop Description

Every coffee business generates, collects and manages valuable data, but turning this information into actionable knowledge and insights remains a challenge. This hands-on workshop guides small and medium exporters, importers, and roasters in creating practical dashboards that capture essential information about their coffee journey - from lot tracking and quality to impact, compliance, and customer preferences.

Working with a real business example, you'll learn a practical framework for identifying and measuring key indicators, as well as how to build a simple yet powerful system to connect, organize and visualize key metrics that matter in daily operations. Whether you're tracking multiple coffee lots, managing inventory, or monitoring quality and sales performance, you'll learn to organize data for quick decision-making. No technical expertise required - just bring your coffee knowledge and leave with a step-by-step working dashboard and the skills to adapt it that saves time, reduces mistakes, and amplifies the value of your business. Through this interactive DIY experience, you'll engage with other professionals in peer-to-peer learning and knowledge sharing.

Date: Thursday June 26, 2025
Time: 14:30 - 17:00
Location: Room T

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

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Instructors & Leads

Elisa Criscione (she/her)
Founder & CEO, Digital Coffee Future

Elisa Criscione is the Founder and CEO at Digital Coffee Future. She brings eight years of experience in tropical agriculture, specializing in digitalization for coffee value chains. She works throughout the industry to simplify digital transformation for coffee industry stakeholders and has collaborated with institutions such as Fairtrade International, GIZ, and Rabo Foundation. Elisa also serves as a lecturer on coffee digitalization at the University of Turin and has joined various coffee events as a speaker, establishing extensive networks across the sector.

Hubert Peri (he/him)
Education Manager, Digital Coffee Future

Hubert is the Lead Consultant and Trainer for DCF’s Education Portfolio. Based in Chiapas, Mexico, he has worked for over 15 years on access to finance, market, business intelligence and advisory services for smallholder coffee, cocoa, honey and handicraft organizations throughout Latin America and Africa. Hubert is also founder of TheFarmerbox, a start-up dedicated to providing first mile digital data solutions for smallholder organizations, and digital transformation ambassador for the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

Workshop Description

Now that your small business is establishing itself, it's time to grow—but who do you bring into your team, and how do you equip them for success? In this workshop, founders and owners of emerging specialty coffee shops will learn about proven approaches to hiring, on-boarding, training, and feedback that well-established European specialty coffee brands have used to propel them to where they are today. Discover methods used to establish a happy and engaged team who will carry your business' values forward—and how to work with (and give!) feedback, so that everyone learns together.

This workshop is best suited to attendees who have not yet built a hiring or training program for their employees and would value understanding what's worked (and hasn't worked) in other businesses to inform their own design. We recommend that anyone involved in developing a hiring and training program for their business should attend together (owners, managers, etc.).

Date: Thursday June 26, 2025
Time: 10:30 - 13:00
Location: Room U

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

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Instructors & Leads

Federica Parisi (she/her)
Coffee & Beverages Community Director, Simonelli Group SpA

Hello I'm Federica Parisi, Coffee and Beverages Community Director at Simonelli Group. I'm an active member in the coffee industry for 14 years (Nespresso & Starbucks), I contribute to elevating coffee education standards.​
I'm dedicated to high-quality coffee education in the industry, committed to fostering knowledge and excellence among coffee professionals.​

I'm a proud Authorized SCA Trainer (Sensory, Brewing, Introduction to Coffee, CVA for Cuppers, Coffee Sustainability)​ and 2y experienced SCA judge ​(Barista and Brewers)​. I'm a European Specialty Tea Association Trainer​ as well and a proud Victoria Arduino E1 Prima EXP owner. I'm Italian and I live in Switzerland.

Katarzyna Szatanska
Ditta Artigianale

Natalia Mazzilli
Ditta Artigianale

Workshop Description

Creating a coffee blend can be challenging - how do you build a blend that customers will love? How and what green coffee do you buy to maximize value? What do great blends even taste like? In this workshop we'll discuss the value of blends and the role they play for a roastery. We will troubleshoot marketing blends vs single origin offerings and roasting techniques, and ultimately learn how to utilize a wide range of coffees to their fullest potential. We'll be cupping blends and blend components so you'll walk away with both a conceptual understanding and an opportunity to create your own blend in the workshop.

Date: Thursday June 26, 2025
Time: 10:30 - 13:00
Location: Room R

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

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Instructors & Leads

Ashley Whelan (she/her)
Coffee Director

Ashley Whelan is a seasoned coffee professional with expertise in sourcing, roasting, blend development, and menu curation. She began her coffee journey in 2012 while working in neuroscience research at NYU but was quickly drawn to coffee’s complexity. As a green buyer, she has built direct relationships with producers, focusing on quality, transparency, and sustainability. She has developed blends and seasonal offerings that balance flavor, consistency, and operational efficiency. With experience spanning barista work to consulting, Ashley is dedicated to creating thoughtful coffee programs that connect sourcing to the final cup while supporting both producers and businesses.

Workshop Description

The practice of sustainability requires the dynamic careful balance of social, economic, and environmental priorities. Achieving this balance is by nature complex, as the connections are usually not clearly defined or emerge in scales (time or space) not easily identifiable by conventional analytical approaches. This challenge calls for a new (collective) mindset and leadership capacity, being more conscious, purposeful, and strategic to create this sustainable future (intentionally), generating greater possibilities for all actors in the coffee value chain.

Design thinking is a human-centered (user-centered) approach to problem-solving that amalgamates stakeholders’ need through empathy and an adaptive process rooted in practice and action-learning. The use of prototypes for making tangible the product or services help the designer re-think solutions to bring new perspectives and ideas, transforming the way people, organizations, and businesses solve these problems and create shared-value solutions.

This workshop will introduce prototyping techniques from design thinking for solving a set of real sustainability challenges in the specialty coffee sector that will allow the generation of a creative solution (prototype) that intersect desirability, viability, and feasibility. The blend of theoretical elements with action-learning offers a new way to understand problem solving and social innovation to make coffee better, for all.

Our goal is to provide actionable knowledge that support sustainability professionals, coffee companies and producer organizations in the specialty coffee industry to incorporate skills and mindsets that facilitate the generation of transformative solutions that are regenerative and distributive by design, and that consider sustainability an ongoing practice for learning how to make the right thing the right way, a commitment for create a coffee sector of shared opportunity, shared responsibility, and shared prosperity.

The workshop is inspired by the Theory U philosophy, Doughnut Design for Business tool, and the Human-Centered approach to innovation that will be adapted to the specialty coffee context to create an impactful and dynamic activity for all the participants.

Date: Thursday June 26, 2025
Time: 10:30 - 13:00
Location: Room S

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

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Instructors & Leads

Andrés M. Montenegro (he/him)
Sustainability Director, Specialty Coffee Association

Workshop Description

This workshop is designed to support green coffee exporters and producers to succeed in the U.S. specialty coffee market. Participants will learn how to craft compelling brand stories, target the right market segments, and plan effective customer journeys through communications, samples, and sales techniques. With insights from industry experts, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of buyer expectations, seasonality, and strategies for building lasting business relationships.

Date: Thursday June 26, 2025
Time: 10:30 - 13:00
Location: Room T

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

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Instructors & Leads

Sandra Loofbourow

Ben Bicknell

Workshop Description

Welcome to "The Canephora Universe" workshop. Immerse yourself in this captivating session that explores the intriguing world of the Canephora plant and its diverse flavors.

In this immersive workshop, we will delve into the concept of terroir and its profound impact on the taste of coffee. Discover how the unique combination of regions, climates, and soils influences the flavor profiles of your favorite brews, unlocking a deeper appreciation for Canephora.

Explore the fascinating realm of agronomic parameters and new cultivars, gaining valuable insights into the latest advancements in coffee farming techniques. Learn how these factors contribute to the development of exceptional coffee beans, and discover how to identify and appreciate the nuances that make each cup of coffee truly exceptional.

Immerse yourself in the Canephora flavor wheel, a comprehensive tool that unveils the distinct flavors found in Canephora coffee beans. Journey through the rich and bold flavors that this variety has to offer, and develop your ability to discern and describe its unique taste notes.

Engage in an interactive cupping session, where you will have the opportunity to taste and evaluate a carefully curated selection of coffees. Under the expert guidance of Christos, refine your sensory skills as you analyze aroma, acidity, body, and overall flavor profile. Learn how to identify and appreciate the subtle nuances that make each cup of coffee a sensory delight within the Canephora Universe.

Whether you are a coffee enthusiast, a professional barista, or simply someone looking to expand their knowledge, "The Canephora Universe" workshop is designed to deepen your understanding of coffee and elevate your tasting abilities. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to learn from one of the industry's leading experts and embark on a journey of coffee exploration like no other.

Date: Saturday, June 29, 2024
Time: 10:30 - 13:30
Location: Workshop Room 2

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

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Instructors & Leads

Christos Sotiros (he/him)
Category Executive & Master Barista, Nestlé

Authorized AST since 2018
Q Arabica
Swiss Barista Champion 2023 and WBC Semifinalist 2023 Athens
Currently working for Nestlé Professional Strategic Business Unit leading the coffee Capabilities building for internal coffee teams globally.
I ve been in the food & beverage business for more than 14 years working at hotels, bars, restaurants and cafes with my academic studies to be in Psychology.

Workshop Description

Julia Leach, President of Toddy and SCA Board Member, is passionate about the art and science of cold brew coffee and has been a leader in the industry for over a decade. At Toddy, Julia has sanctioned extensive sensory analysis experiments, comparing hot cupping notes to the flavors in a cold brewed cup and trialing a vast variety of coffees to determine where each will excel. She uses her wealth of sensory analysis expertise and consulting experience to help coffee professionals elevate their cold brew programs. Julia is helping shift the cold brew conversation from “a way to make use of older beans” to the understanding that this brewing method is capable of extracting unique tasting notes and delicately nuanced flavors different from the hot tasting notes. As an SCA Board member, Julia is also serving as a Coffee Value Assessment Ambassador at 2024 SCA events. An enthusiastic traveler with an insatiable curiosity about other cultures, she has presented cold brew and cold brew sensory analysis workshops around the world.

Date: Saturday, June 29, 2024
Time: 10:30 - 13:30
Location: Workshop Room 1

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

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Instructors & Leads

Julia Leach (she/her)
President, Toddy LLC

Julia Leach leads Toddy, LLC, a company that has been at the forefront of cold brewing since 1964. Julia’s team works with cafes and roasters worldwide to help them develop cold brew programs that highlight the nuances of the brewing method and inspire their customers to fall in love with cold brew. She is passionate about the art and science of cold brewing and is active in developing quality cold brew education for the coffee industry. She has presented at SCA Re;co, SCA Expo, NCA Convention, and also frequently presents at industry events around the world.

Workshop Description

A purposeful green-coffee-buying strategy is key to the success of every coffee roasting business. This workshop will introduce participants to the fundamentals of effective green purchasing. Students will learn standard industry terms for how coffee is bought, traded and transported; setting the stage for successful relationships with green coffee suppliers and logistics providers. Participants will also discuss other key factors in a green-buying program including values statements, forecasting and cash flow management. In addition to an interactive lecture, students will work in small groups on a variety of activities.

Date: Friday, June 28, 2024
Time: 14:00 - 17:00
Location: Workshop Room 2

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

BOOK NOW >

Instructors & Leads

Gabriel Chait (he/him)
Consultant, Poxtec Consulting

Gabriel Chait is a green coffee sourcing, trading, and sustainability consultant. He initially led buying programs for specialty coffee roasters before building a consulting practice that brings together stakeholders from across the supply chain, working with producers, exporters, importers, and roasters, to build integrated and resilient sourcing relationships. He has an academic background in coffee agroforestry with research studies in sustainable coffee production and business practices. His professional experience ranges from sourcing, buying, and trading specialty coffee to designing and implementing strategic sustainability initiatives aimed at driving innovation in coffee procurement practices.

Workshop Description

In this workshop, participants will be:

• Increasing sensory awareness

• Identifying sensory communication skills

• Calibrating with co-workers

• Understand each other’s perspective on different levels

• Describing our taste experiences using crossmodal correspondence method.

Date: Friday, June 28, 2024
Time: 14:00 - 17:00
Location: Workshop Room 2

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

BOOK NOW >

Instructors & Leads

Freda Yuan (she/her)
Director of Coffee, Origin Coffee Roasters

Freda Yuan is the Director of Coffee for Origin, a licensed Q-grader, and member of the Coffee Roasters Guild leadership council. 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 3rd and 5th 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.

Workshop Description

Cupping is a method of describing coffee flavor and evaluating coffee quality that is used around the world and across the value chain. This workshop will cover the history of cupping, its many uses in the global coffee industry of today, and introduce the standards and protocols used by cupping practitioners. Learners will also practice cupping different coffees using the SCA's descriptive and affective evaluation forms. No prior experience of coffee cupping is required, but participants should be willing and able to taste coffee.

Date: Friday, June 28, 2024
Time: 10:30 - 13:30
Location: Workshop Room 2

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

BOOK NOW >

Instructors & Leads

Alin Giriada (he/him)
CEO, Coffee Laboratory LTD

Alin Giriada is a Q Instructor and AST with over 18 years of experience in the coffee industry. His expertise covers barista techniques, coffee brewing techniques, green coffee analysis and outsourcing, coffee roasting and coffee sensory analysis. Alin Giriada has trained thousands of coffee professionals, barista champions and world cup tasting champions. He has consulted for US Agency for International Development, IntrCen, AFCA and holds a Masters Degree in Education and Training Management.

Workshop Description

Join this workshop designed exclusively for coffee shop owners or managers seeking to elevate their business game! Focus on honing your business acumen while gaining invaluable insights into financial strategies, operational efficiencies, and essential practices to maximize profitability. From cost analysis to menu engineering, you’ll walk away equipped with the tools to optimize your shop's financial health.

After completing this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Understand and Analyze a Profit and Loss Statement

• Calculate and Manage COGS

• Optimize Schedules and Manage Labor

• Grow Sales and Profitability

• Build Projections and Set Budgets

Date: Friday, June 28, 2024
Time: 10:30 - 13:30
Location: Workshop Room 1

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

BOOK NOW >

Instructors & Leads

Laila Ghambari (she/her)
CEO, by Laila Ghambari

With nearly two decades of experience in food and beverage operations Laila Ghambari has an extensive knowledge spanning various roles. She runs her own coffee business consultancy, by Laila Ghambari, coaching coffee business owners and professionals to achieve their goals. She has been an influential figure in the specialty coffee industry, winning the 2014 USBC, and being an elected member of the Barista Guild Executive Council.

Workshop Description

Over the past four years, the SCA has undertaken a project to understand, develop, and evolve the SCA cupping protocol as a part of its Coffee Value Assessment System development project. This year, SCA released a draft of a new cupping protocol, which is anticipated to become the new official SCA cupping protocol. This workshop offers coffee professionals interested in first-hand practical experience with the new protocol a guided, intensive and thorough training session on the evolved protocol. Students will receive descriptive training, including how to use references, and a deep understanding of the affective section of the new cupping system. Multiple tasting sessions will give cuppers experience evaluating various coffees using the new system.

Date: Thursday, June 27, 2024
Time: 14:00 - 17:00
Location: Workshop Room 2

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

BOOK NOW >

Instructors & Leads

Filip Bartelak (he/him)
CVA Ambassador, Grange Specialty

Filip Bartelak, born in 1978, is a Polish expert in sensory analysis and R&D. With a major in I/O and political psychology from Jagiellonian University, he excels as a sensory expert and R&D supervisor at Consonni. He's a green coffee buyer and roast master, creating renowned coffee roaster brands in Poland and abroad. Filip is a Q Arabica and Robusta Instructor, SCAA Certified Lead Instructor, and WCE certified judge. He's served as an officer at Coffee Roasters Guild and led CRG's Sustainability Committee. A consultant for the United Nations' ITC, Filip was also a member of SCA's Board of Directors.

Workshop Description

Foster exceptional leadership and cultivate a motivated team! In this workshop, coffee shop owners and managers will learn proven techniques in effective communication, team empowerment, and cultivating a positive work culture. Discover the secrets to nurturing a happy and engaged team, driving productivity and customer satisfaction. Elevate your business through effective management and leadership, setting the stage for continued growth and excellence.

In this workshop we will cover:

• The Importance of Onboarding

• Effective Communication 

• Roles and Responsibilities 

• Delegating, Development, and more.

Date: Thursday, June 27, 2024
Time: 14:00 - 17:00
Location: Workshop Room 1

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

BOOK NOW >

Instructors & Leads

Laila Ghambari (she/her)
CEO, by Laila Ghambari

With nearly two decades of experience in food and beverage operations Laila Ghambari has an extensive knowledge spanning various roles. She runs her own coffee business consultancy, by Laila Ghambari, coaching coffee business owners and professionals to achieve their goals. She has been an influential figure in the specialty coffee industry, winning the 2014 USBC, and being an elected member of the Barista Guild Executive Council.

Workshop Description

Find your most powerful direction and commit to shared goals.

Strategic planning isn't just a good practice; it's a necessity for staying competitive, expanding market share, and ensuring long-term sustainability. We’ll give you the tools you need to implement strategy sessions long into the future. Through practical insights, proven business tools, case studies, and interactive discussions, you'll learn how to make informed decisions, optimize resources, and adapt to evolving industry dynamics.

Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to dive into these exercises yourself so when it’s time for you to bring this to your team, you’ll know firsthand how it should go.

Join us if you’re ready to gain clarity on the direction of your business and want your team working together to achieve something great.

Date: Thursday, June 27, 2024
Time: 10:30 - 13:30
Location: Workshop Room 1

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

BOOK NOW >

Instructors & Leads

Miranda Caldwell
Founder, The Coffee MBA

Miranda Caldwell is a coffee business coach and the founder of The Coffee MBA, a community where she teaches business courses for the specialty coffee industry. Since 2000, she has held leadership positions at coffee roasting companies in roles spanning operations, procurement, quality, sales, retail, and education. In 2022 she completed her Masters of Business Administration from a joint program with The University of Manchester and Indiana University. Her primary goal is to improve profitability for coffee roasters, believing they're the key to unlocking profitability for the rest of the value chain.

Workshop Description

In this workshop, you will:

• Become more efficient when dialing in espresso

• Be aware of the different variables in a coffee that will affect the extraction process

• Be able to extract a consistent, and balanced espresso

• Be able to quickly acknowledge and identify flavor and tactile experiences of espresso and how they relate to ideal extraction

Date: Thursday, June 27, 2024
Time: 10:30 - 13:30
Location: Workshop Room 2

Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

BOOK NOW >

Instructors & Leads

Kristen Hjelm (she/her)
Account Manager, BUNN O Matic

Kristen Hjelm is an account manager for the BUNN Corporation. She has worked in various roles in the coffee industry for over 20 years. Her work has included consulting with coffee shop business owners to review their current business practices and find ways to increase profitability, grow brand awareness, stay relevant, grow market share, and retain customers.

Over the last 12 years, Kristen has created content and presented on various coffee platforms, including the SCA. During that time, she has also acted as a sensory and technical judge for the US Coffee Championships.

In 2021, Kristen received a Master of Business Administration from Arizona State University. An opportunity that continued to grow her passion for helping business owners succeed by presenting new tools, systems, and perspectives into their existing operations.

Kristen is currently an active board member of the Pacific Coast Coffee Association. An organization that provides community and connection through all areas of the coffee supply chain.

Interactive workshop with a good balance of a Sensory Deck presentation and a Brain Game challenging the attendees' perception for the coffee they taste.

Let our hearing, smell, touch, vision excite our taste by interfering with our experiences and perceptions!

How does our brain identify flavors through the process of different stimulus' synthesis?

Live interaction with KAHOOT to challenge knowledge and perception around sensory ability and coffee.

Some of the very interesting props/ materials to excite the audience would be:
-Various Textures
-Colors
-Shapes
-Mystery Boxes
-Headphones
-Eyeshades
and... Coffee

The most updated scientific research data around multisensory approach will be presented, providing attendees with exciting and useful knowledge around senses and how they interact with coffee. What about trying to smell red, or taste shapes or colors? We will find out together.

Price: €125.00

Room: Room 2

To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee Registration Portal and add a session to your booking before checkout. Already registered? Simply enter your registration key to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.

Instructor:

George Makropoulos
Coffee Capabilities & Events Lead | Coffee Educator, Nestle Hellas S.A.

George, a highly specialized and experienced Coffee Educator, Q Arabica Grader and Trainer, is the Coffee Capabilities & Events Lead in Nestle Professional. Having participated in a variety of Coffee and Spirits Championships and Events since 2008 either as a Competitor, National Judge, Trainer or Lecturer, George has a proven track of successes, publications and accreditations in the Coffee and Beverages Industry.

Academic Titles / Certifications
-Business Administration - Hellenic Open University
-CAS in Coffee Excellence - Zurich University of Applied Sciences

-Q Arabica Grader (Coffee Quality Institute)
-Authorized SCA Trainer (All Modules)
-IBA Accredited Trainer (International Bartenders Association)
-Certified Wine Expert / Sommelier