Introducing our 2025 prospective Judges all 25 of them.
Each of these legends brings industry experience, hands-on skills, and a serious passion for coffee excellence. They’ve all attended a pre-championship workshop, completed an online quiz, and are busy learning the rules inside out, with more homework still to come before calibration day, right before the event.
Judging at the Barista Champs is both an honour and a big responsibility. Final judge selection happens after calibration and is based on skill, fairness, and group dynamics, no easy task.
But this crew is more than up for the challenge.
Read on to see who’s up and a little bit more about them all.
#NZBaristaChamps #CoffeeCommunity #nzbc2025 #nzspecialtycoffee #nzspeccoffee #coffeelegends
Representing: Turning Point Coffee, Northland
Favourite track: NOFX – August 8th
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) I judge to stay connected to the community and to keep learning. Every year, I walk away inspired by baristas who are pushing boundaries with new ideas and innovations. I love spending a few days surrounded by other coffee geeks — people who don’t glaze over when we dive deep into the serious, nerdy detail.
What do you love to do outside of coffee? Hanging with my wife and girls, fishing, golf and anything to do with Northland beaches.
What’s a typical day look like for you? Mainly just caffeine fuelled chaos.
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? My grandad that I never got to really know. To see if that would explain some things
Representing: FTA Coffee, Australia
Favourite track: Demain (artists: Bigflo & Oli X Petit Biscuit)
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) It is a masterclass for me, it is a sensory training every time and above all to meet and connect with wonderful coffee pro.
What do you love to do outside of coffee? Eating, travelling and running. But mostly coffee stuff though
What’s a typical day look like for you? Brew coffee, talk about coffee, go for a run and on a good day, eat Ramen.
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? I went to Jamaica years ago before I was working in cafe. I went to a farm, I knew nothing at the time about coffee. I asked the farmer what was the secret to a good coffee and he answered ‘give it love’. I would love to have his coffee again and tell him how much I understand what he meant now!
Representing: Sketchbook Coffee
Favourite track: Top of the World by The Carpenters. The ultimate feelgood song!
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) I’m judging this year because I want to stay involved in the competition and open myself up to new perspectives.
What do you love to do outside of coffee? If I’m not doing coffee (rarely); I love stargazing, bushwalks and bird watching – all weather permitting. Otherwise, just puzzles and cooking.
What’s a typical day look like for you? A typical day is probably not how I’d describe any of my days but lately starting the day on the tools (whether it be a roaster or till) before a few meetings and spreadsheets and anything else that comes up before jumping onto a bit of social media.
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? Since the question has been asked, I’d have to say my mum. She was the inspiration for pursuing a hospitality career and good banter as well.
Representing: Frank’s Coffee
Favourite track: Danger Zone Kenny Loggins
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) I want to judge because New Zealand has a vibrant coffee community with many young talents who need guidance and nurturing as they develop into coffee professionals and find their pathway into their desired careers. Judging is a form of giving back to this community and building each other up. I also enjoy challenging my sensory abilities and further developing my palate while staying updated with the latest trends in coffee. I would like to become a certified World Barista Championship sensory judge one day.
What do you love to do outside of coffee? Family time, General Aviation, Basketball
What’s a typical day look like for you? As an owner/operator, I typically start my day at 6am and finish around 5pm. My mornings usually begin with quality control – cupping and tasting coffees, checking roast profiles, and ensuring our standards are consistent across all locations. Throughout the day, I’m involved in everything from staff training and customer service to roasting, menu development, and the business operations side. No two days are exactly the same, which keeps things interesting and challenging.
Representing: Caffe L’affare Ltd
Favourite track: Err maybe Sun by Caribou? It’s not, but I do like it.
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) Catch up with industry mates and any new gossip. Taste some yummy coffee. Check in on my sensory calibration.
What do you love to do outside of coffee? Cycling, gardening, cooking.
What’s a typical day look like for you? Get to work and tidy up my inbox, cup some things, online production meetings, walking in circles round the production floor, some more meetings, more spreadsheets.
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? “or dead”, that’s weird. You don’t get coffeeshops in graveyards.
Representing: Little Drum, Mt.Maunganui
Favourite track: Thrashing “Funky Fanfare” by Keith Mansfield at the moment. This song is now going through my head whenever I walk into a room.
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) I’m not allowed out often, so I might as well put my time to good use.
What do you love to do outside of coffee? The list is endless, generally getting out in the water or disc golf, skiing when the snow dumps. Also spending time on my turntables to calm the brain and time in the kitchen to calm the soul.
What’s a typical day look like for you? Unlock the doors and chuck some tunes on, get a brew going and settle in for a day of roasting, sling some coffee around and generally chatting to people. Then get home and spend time with the kids.
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? John Cleese, he seems like a man with a sense of humour.
Representing: The Roastery at 23 / UCC NZ Coffee Company
Favourite track: Too many to choose from… Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) To step outside of my comfort zone and to support our awesome coffee community. I am a student of coffee so to learn and form new connections.
What do you love to do outside of coffee? Food, flowers, sunshine, ice cream, doggos.
What’s a typical day look like for you? Make a coffee, drive to my first training session, have lunch in the car, drive to the next training session, drive home, do some admin and that’s a day! Shoutout to my personal alarm clock.
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? I would share a cup with my grandma ❤
Representing: Vacation Coffee, Melbourne
Favourite track: From Eden by Hozier
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) I honestly just love coffee a lot! I enjoy being involved in the community and being a part of what goes on behind the competitions. I enjoy the way unique way judging forces me to learn and grow. I also think it is an honour to be able to experience the coffee the baristas are presenting in the competition, and would love to be able to provide feedback to help shape the future.
What do you love to do outside of coffee? I love reading, running, going to the gym, being out in nature!
What’s a typical day look like for you? My days rotate being part of a roastery and in a cafe. But either way, i’m up by 4.30-5am for my shifts, which usually begin at 6 and end around 4. After which, you can usually find me at the gym or along the beach trails until the sun sets (or sometimes well after!), and I try to end the day with a good home cooked meal and an early night.
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? I can’t just choose one person, but really, it would be my friends and family back in NZ. Being in melbourne has provided me with a lot of new and different opportunities, but it’s made me realise i took the company that i had back home a little for granted, and i miss them wholeheartedly!
Representing: Society Coffee, Auckland
Favourite track: Magic shop- BTS
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) Judging allows me to continuously challenge myself, sharpen my sensory and technical skills, and stay meaningfully connected to the coffee community. It’s a space where I can contribute, learn, and grow alongside passionate professionals who share a commitment to excellence and innovation in coffee.
What do you love to do outside of coffee? Outside of coffee, I find inspiration in photography, vintage shopping, and spending time in nature — whether it’s a peaceful forest walk or a stroll along the beach. I love traveling and embracing new experiences that expand my perspective. Recently I travelled to Bali and I fell in love with its beauty. I really want to go back especially when it’s so cold like this.
What’s a typical day look like for you? No two days ever look the same. My work life is dynamic — from fulfilling and dispatching orders, to roasting, and occasionally jumping on bar to make coffee. The variety keeps things exciting, and I never find myself bored.
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? If possible, I’d turn my cat into a person for one heartfelt coffee conversation But realistically, I’d love to enjoy a peaceful cup with my partner —there’s nothing better than meaningful conversation over a good cup of coffee.
Representing: Aoraki Coffee Roaster
Favourite track: Waiting in the Weeds / Eagles
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) It’s truly a privilege to be part of the New Zealand coffee community and to have the opportunity to take part in barista competitions, workshops, and continuous learning new knowledge or staying updated with the latest competition rules. I also hope to use my past judging experience to support newcomers and discover our future world champion.
What do you love to do outside of coffee? Anything done with the family, especially playing basketball with my son, Raymond
What’s a typical day look like for you? Moving between coffee roasting, cafes, machines and green bean suppliers, every step brings its own unexpected challenges, Taking a deep breath before starting the day is essential.
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? My grandparents, listen to their personal stories and fun memories when mom & dad were young.
Representing: Demi Cafe
Favourite track: 10,000 hours by Dan + Shay, Justin Bieber
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) I aiming to compete barista championship in the future and I believe that becoming a judge will give me valuable insight into the scoring system, sensory evaluation, and technical expectations. Understanding how competitors are assessed will help me refine my own skills and preparation. It’s also a great opportunity to learn from the best and be part of the specialty coffee community
What do you love to do outside of coffee? Play Tennis
What’s a typical day look like for you? A normal day for me starts early, usually before the sun’s up. I open the cafe, dial in the coffee, and make sure everything’s running smoothly before customers start rolling in. As a barista, I’m behind the machine a lot, making coffees, chatting with regulars, and keeping the vibe warm and welcoming. At the same time, as a business owner, my mind’s always juggling, checking orders, reply emails, managing stock or sorting staff roster. Everyday is full-on but its also full of meaning.
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? It would be my grandma, because she lived in heaven now. I miss her deeply, and there’s so much I wish I could tell her. Just one more conversation, one more smile, one more chance to say thank you.
Representing: Society Coffee Roasters
Favourite track: Welcome to the black parade – My Chemical Romance
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) I judge in Coffee Championships because I believe in connection. The connection that has brought us, judges, coffee lovers, coaches, competitors, volunteers, organisers all together for that special moment celebrating our champions.
What do you love to do outside of coffee? Fishing, Kayaking & Boardgames.
What’s a typical day look like for you? Just go to work, drink enough coffee, prepare orders, roast more coffee, drink more coffee, wondering when the next champ is?
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? I would like to have coffee with my late father. I would like to share all the things that I have known, the person I have become, and of course coffee.
Representing: Zephyr Coffee Co
Favourite track: Smile Pantsula- Wonderboom
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) Sensory Judge.
What do you love to do outside of coffee? Mountain bike and sail.
What’s a typical day look like for you? Cupping blends and single origins. Training baristas or sales staff. Putting out fires.
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? My Grandfather. An amazing human being that inspired me to chase my new passion in coffee.
Representing: UCC Coffee, Auckland
Favourite track: Santeria, Sublime
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) To learn and stay connected… And love a few beers afterwards.
What do you love to do outside of coffee? Play golf, walking my dog, food.
What’s a typical day look like for you? Drink coffee, work, go for a walk, eat dinner and sleep.
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? Friends and family, always
Representing: Altura Coffee Co, Auckland
Favourite track: Queen / Bohemian Rhapsody
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) All of these… plus
What do you love to do outside of coffee? There is no outside of coffee…
What’s a typical day look like for you? Every other fuckin day…
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? Kaldi the goat herder, as it would be the first one huh?
Representing: Independent
Supported by: Society Coffee, Auckland.
Favourite track: Lost in between the stars.
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) I want to be a judge because it’s a valuable opportunity to stay connected with the community and continue learning from others’ skills, perspectives, and experiences.
What do you love to do outside of coffee? I love taking my dog out for short hiking trails or to the dog park.
What’s a typical day look like for you? Wake up going to work, tell kids off for making silly decisions and go home to be a couch potato.
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? I’d love to have coffee with my parents. Even though I’ve been a barista for quite a while, I’ve only shared a coffee with them once. They live far away in China, and whenever I visit, having coffee together always gets pushed aside by other priorities. It would be really special to sit down and simply enjoy a cup with them.
Representing: Flight Coffee, Wellington
Favourite track: umm dunno will listen to most things…
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) Support the community, Learn more (you always do)
What do you love to do outside of coffee? Relaxing, eating great food, photography and riding an EUC
What’s a typical day look like for you? Up around 6am Espresso, espresso, work, espresso, pour over, spreadsheets, meetings, cheeky afternoon coffee (cupping/pour over/maybe a can of something?) home
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? Bill gates because would like to know how much was luck and how much was his vision.
Representing: The Hardware Société, Melbourne
Favourite track: Stayin’ alive – Bee Gees
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) I judge to support and give back to the coffee community that’s given me so much. It’s also a way for me to continuously learn, stay sharp, and help elevate the standard of competitions across the industry.
What do you love to do outside of coffee? Travelling, eating my way through different cultures, photography, and spending time with my cat, Cosmo.
What’s a typical day look like for you? Mornings usually start with dialing in coffee or recipe testing. The rest of the day is a mix of working, catching up with suppliers, mentoring baristas, and keeping the coffee program running smoothly.
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? Anthony Bourdain. His perspective on culture, people, and food was raw and real. I’d love to share a coffee and conversation with someone who saw the world so vividly.
Representing: Society Coffee Roasters, Auckland
Favourite track: Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) To learn, to share and to care.
What do you love to do outside of coffee? Movie, walks, good food with good company.
What’s a typical day look like for you? Coffee, and more coffee.
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? All my friends, because I seldom have coffee with them.
Representing: Cupping Room Coffee Roasters, Hong Kong
Favourite track: The Show by Lenka
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) I use to be a competitor in BC and found myself being more joyful in other side of the stage.
What do you love to do outside of coffee? Hiking with friend and travel around the world.
What’s a typical day look like for you? Checking email from client, filling tender, checking if the coffee taste good in our roastery or our customer’s place.
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? Ali Wong. It must be interesting to have a coffee chat with my favorite comedian.
Representing: Meebz Coffee Roasters
Favourite track: That changes as often as my mood. For now, anything by Wave To Earth is on repeat.
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) I enjoyed the challenge and learning experience from judging at regionals. On top of that, being in the same environment as my friends and peers is great! Having a finer appreciation for the competition is another plus.
What do you love to do outside of coffee? I love playing sports and staying active. Football, running and going to the gym seem to take up most of my time these days. I’ve recently gotten into a bit of photography and I’m hoping to shoot a couple of gigs in the near future should anything pop up.
What’s a typical day look like for you? Clock in and lock in at work. Sling lots of spros in the morning and dispatch lots of coffee in the afternoon. Depending on the day, I may kick a ball around a field or lift some heavy circles at the gym after work. Then it’s time to cook the most bang average meal for dinner and call it a day. Rinse and repeat.
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? LeBron Raymone James Sr. I love that man journey…
Representing: Mouthwater Coffee Company
Favourite track: ooh so many choices.. at the moment loving “life is good – Justin Caruso”
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) All of the above. To help pay it forward, build community, listen and learn. Help this awesome industry we all love and work in.
What do you love to do outside of coffee? Camping, my kids, Board games, getting out in our environment with my wife, family and friends – exploring new places!
What’s a typical day look like for you? Waking up before my alarm goes off at 5.10am.. to open a coffee cart, supporting my team and the awesome customers that come with it. (And the dreaded paperwork that comes with small business).
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? My Dad. He passed away when I was 8. Would love to enjoy a coffee with him as an adult and reflect on life and its journey… and just be.
Representing: Daily Daily Coffeemakers, Auckland
Favourite track: Can’t decide between two! Venezuela Riddim (Hak Baker) & Somewhere Only We Know (Keane)
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) To have a creative space to connect with individuals a part of and/or beyond the coffee industry. I am motivated by the intersectionality of both the science and the art of coffee, and hope to further grow and be inspired through finding my identity as a coffee individual within the specialty coffee scene, both as a barista and a judge. ‘To inspire and be inspired’ are words that I live by and judging NZBC leverages opportunities to explore these ideas through cultivation, process, connection, and expression from bean to cup. Ultimately, I am motivated by the people and how individuals can be a vessel to allow the coffee to shine in a given setting. It’s an honour to be a part of the journey of the presenting baristas at Nationals this year as a judge.
What do you love to do outside of coffee? As much as coffee is a huge passion of mine, I love to scout out epic rocks to climb and waves to surf. You’ll most likely catch me climbing or surfing when I’m not behind the machine slinging coffees or doing my Postgrad Chemistry research. I’m also a cellist, so I love to tinker about on my cello playing my favourite classical works!
What’s a typical day look like for you? My day-to-day depends on whether I’m working at Daily Daily or not. I work part-time as a barista as well as being a full-time Postgrad student. My usual day outside of coffee is full of science – teaching undergrads and doing long hours in the lab as I finish off my MSc in Chemistry and heading into a PhD soon after. In the evenings I’ll always cook up a storm and squeeze in a workout of some sort playing in a soccer league or climbing/surfing!
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? It would be awesome to have a coffee with Marie Curie. I’d love to pick her brain on how she came about the frontiers of scientific discovery and how she perceives the intersectionality and identity in the art and science of Chemistry, as well as breaking systematic barriers as a woman in STEM!
YiHsuan Chu aka Juwa
Representing: Independent, Sydney
Favourite track: The end of the world by Skeeter Davis—it is sad but elegant, dark-ish in a beautiful way. Like 50-60s swing in general, relaxing, gentle yet bubbly and kinda soft.
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) To know more of the industry from a different perspective, to push and to motivate myself to grow to learn and to explore.
What do you love to do outside of coffee? Love everything about yoga and love to hangout with my dogs.
What’s a typical day look like for you? Coffee, yoga and meditation, journaling, squeezing my dogs, anxious about everything and questioning the meaning of life before bed.
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? I do not have any particular person in my mind now.
Representing: Flight Coffee Hangar
Favourite track: Swimming Flawed Mangoes at the moment…
Why do you judge? (Is it to support the community, learn more, stay connected, or something else?) All the reasons. More involved. Learn. Support. Connect.
What do you love to do outside of coffee? Reading and Looking at dogs.
What’s a typical day look like for you? Kind of always working.
If you could have coffee with any person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? Aristotle.