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"I love Cafiza - it is versatile, safe and very effective. It was also the very first cleaning product that I ever used so I love it even more :)"
What is your current occupation and employer?
I am working as a Master of Coffee Science at Coffeedesk. I am responsible for training, events, education and sales.
List all the national and world coffee competitions you have competed in.
- 2014, 2015, 20616 - Polish Brewers Cup – 2nd place
- 2017 - Polish Brewers Cup Champion
- 2017 - World Brewers Cup – 12th place
- 2016, 2017 - Fushan International Barista Championship of China - 5th and 7th place
- 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 - Polish Cup Tasters Championship Finalist - 5th, 4th, 2nd, 3rd place
How did you get into the coffee industry? When did you know you wanted to turn your passion for coffee into a career?
I was interested in coffee since I was 15 years old. In 2010, I started to study law and moved to Wrocław - one the major Polish cities. Immediately I applied for a job at a biggest chain coffee shop in Poland back then. Each year, my barista job was becoming more important to me than the university. Around 2013, I knew that I wanted to work with coffee professionally and full time. Although I graduated my master's degree in law, coffee was my one and only real career.
What’s the best piece of coffee-related advice you’ve received?
Work hard and be humble.
Who in the coffee industry has served as an inspiration to you?
There are many inspirational people. First of them Was Tim Wendelboe, the 2004 World Barista Champion. My coach and dear friend Konrad Oleksak, who is a great judge and roaster, has a huge impact on me. I also admire Sasa Sestic for his influence and hard job around the world to bring the better coffee and better practices with our industry.
What is the reaction you receive when you tell someone outside the coffee community that you are a champion barista competitor?
People are generally surprised that there is something like barista championship. But they also respect and admire the fact that someone is so dedicated to the act of brewing coffee.
What is your favorite Urnex product and why?
I love Cafiza - it is versatile, safe and very effective. It was also the very first cleaning product that I ever used so I love it even more :)
What makes coffee culture unique in your country?
We develop quickly and absorb knowledge from all over the world. Our community is larger every year, and it is full of inspirational people that share their knowledge and experience. People are helpful and most of the time united around a common goal which is: making coffee better.
Outside of coffee, what do you do for fun?
I used to play drums in few rock bands. Now my hobby is Italian food and natural wines, both of which I try when travelling around the world. I also love football - we’re a bit crazy about it in Poland!
What is your favorite brew method at home and why?
At home, I use Hario V60 most of the time. It is very versatile and gives you a wide range of brew characteristics in a cup. But I also love espresso - whenever I can, I always stick to the portafilters trying to pull the best shot.
What’s one thing you’d like an average person to know about specialty coffee?
That there is an endless variety of flavors in a cup so your coffee will never be boring.
Where would you like to be and what would you like to be doing 5 years from now?
My dream is to become a green coffee buyer who travels a lot to origins. I’d like not only to make buying decisions, but also make an impact on how industry works. I believe that sustainability is the key word for the future of specialty coffee.