NZSCA Recognition Awards

About the Awards

The NZSCA would like to recognize and acknowledge the individuals within New Zealand that give back to the industry, without these individuals we would not be where we are today.

Since 2009, we have been celebrating the people dedicated to improving our industry, collaborating across companies, and countries, and in the pursuit of improving the value of what’s in that cup.

 

The 2023 awards are proudly supported by Sucafina.

For individuals who have distinguished themselves in terms of making a significant contribution to the New Zealand specialty coffee industry. NZSCA lifetime membership is awarded to people who have served the coffee industry in New Zealand or brought distinction to it over and above the normal course of their job.
For an individual to qualify for a Lifetime membership, they must have fulfilled one of the following:

1. Excellence and high achievement in their career that reflects positively on the coffee industry;

2. Having served with distinction in the management of, or service to, the NZSCA or the coffee industry.

Lifetime membership is the NZSCA’s highest honour in recognition of coffee excellence and contribution.

Our Lifetime Achievement recipients are John Burton and Jeff Kennedy and Chris Dillon.

This is an award for an individual in recognition of their outstanding on-going contribution to the NZSCA and the NZ Coffee industry as a whole, they have consistently dedicated time and knowledge to make a lasting impact on the industry and the association.

These contributions may include but are not limited to the dedication of time, volunteerism, contributions of professional knowledge, exemplary work on a specific NZSCA project, or other notable contribution. Importantly, the contributions should be above and beyond the every day and have had a long-lasting impact on the NZ Industry as a whole.

This is an award for an individual in recognition of their contribution to developing the NZSCA and the NZ Coffee industry as a whole.

These contributions may include but are not limited to the dedication of time, volunteerism, contributions of professional knowledge, exemplary work on a specific NZSCA project, or other notable contribution.

This is an award for an independent individual in recognition of their personal contribution to the NZSCA.

These contributions may include but are not limited to the dedication of time, volunteerism, contributions of professional knowledge, exemplary work on a specific NZSCA project, or other notable contribution.

This is an award for an individual in recognition of their contribution to the New Zealand Coffee industry. This Award may be bestowed to an individual that was active prior to the formation of the Association in 2005. They may or may not be active now but we wish to acknowledge their valuable contributions to our industry.

These contributions may include but are not limited to the dedication of time, volunteerism, contributions of professional knowledge, exemplary work on a coffee project, or other notable contributions. Importantly, the contribution/s should be above and beyond the every day and have had an impact on the New Zealand industry as a whole.

Awarded in 2023

The 2023 NZSCA Recognition Awards were sponsored by member company Sucafina. The romantic tipi complete with a mirror ball created an atmosphere at Sherwood, Queenstown as 90 coffee industry legends gathered. The Recognition Awards acknowledge the individuals within NZ who give back to the industry and also create the community we have today. Nominated by peers, customers, and providers, the names are collated and then presented in a fun relaxed style befitting our community.

Historical Award – 2023 Francis Hollis and Lance Wyatt

MC duo David Burton and Megan Wyper took us back to the early 80s when the Hollis/Wyatt partnership formed in Mansion House, an office coffee supply company in Auckland. In those early days, they purchased Robert Harris coffee to on-sell to their customer base.

In the late 80’s they purchased a 3kg roaster and entered the roasting game, it didn’t take long to work out that the 3kg roaster was not going to cut it. The decision was made to build their own coffee roaster and Bertha, a 50kg roaster was born.

David recounts that he met “Frances and Lance in 1989 when my brother John asked if I would help them out with their new NZ-built roaster. They were having a few problems. The cooling fan was blowing rather than sucking and there was insufficient heat generated in the roaster”  Rookie roaster reckonings that were soon rectified.

“We managed to overcome these problems and after discussions, the seed of Burton Hollis was started.” In 1995 this team launched Columbus Coffee.

Roz Cattell shared her memories: “They truly believe in the NZ Specialty Coffee Industry.   They believe that we should all be drinking fresh coffee.  They have watched the industry grow and evolve over the past 40 years and embraced the change. Even though Mansion House was sold to Sara Lee Corporation in 2000 (under the Douwe Egberts umbrella), they remain involved in our industry” 

Shamsi Power of Bean Alliance Group tells us more about working with Francis “I was part of Roasters Coffee in the mid-2000s when we were bought out by Burton Hollis. Frances was immediately approachable, inspiring, and supportive of me as a young sales rep.

“She impressed upon me the importance of remembering the small details of her customers, the names of their kids, what kind of dog they had, to remain curious and interested in the many different people you come across in this industry. That you can be firm and decisive while remaining warm and down to earth. In those days there were not as many women in the coffee industry, and she stood out to me, as a mentor and leader.” An ethos that resonates with many.

Roz sums them and their contributions up: “Both are still connected to Columbus Coffee. Frances is on the Columbus Board and you’ll still find Lance with son Aaron at Beverage Services helping out… and thinking about the next idea.”

In her elegant nature, Francis accepted the Award and regaled us with moments in time that many of us wouldn’t even have realised or have been born. And isn’t this what the industry is about? Recognising the past on which we build a solid sustainable future.

Congratulations Francis and Lance.  It’s a pleasure to belong to an industry that recognises the pioneers and an honour to learn about those who paved the way.


Friend of the Association

For always being a passionate and enthusiastic supporter of the NZSCA.

This is an award for an independent individual in recognition of their personal contribution to the NZSCA. These contributions may include but are not limited to the dedication of time, volunteerism, contributions of professional knowledge, exemplary work on a specific NZSCA project, or other notable contribution.

An Nguyen

An has been very active in the barista community for some time now. Competing at events and also volunteering his time freely. Always a pleasure to be around and positive and nothing is ever too much trouble. He’s a natural leader that doesn’t demand the spotlight. He has claimed the NZ AeroPress title representing NZ in Sydney, he’s also a Barista League winner, and barista champs competitor, and has been known to make a few coffee cocktails. Always a fun and humble person to be around.

Emma McDougall: Kia Ora katou katoa, ngā mihi et te whanau, welcome everyone, family and friends.

Ko Emma toku ingoa ahau and we are going to get into the next award with an absolute legend of the industry. He’s quiet and he’s softly spoken and he just gets the job done.

He’s not showy, he’s understated. when his wife had their third baby and we congratulated him he said “All well, job done.” 

He’s a man of such few words that if you were to look at his Instagram, you only see images and professional reels where the ingredients, the synergy, and the sum of the whole of the cocktails are greater than its parts. But there are very few photos of him on his Instagram. Just a slick social media presence that puts marketing companies to shame. 

He volunteers cause he loves it. We are lucky to have many photos of him in the background making sure our events run with technical precision, with the music at the right level, any profanity filtered out, and the man who will stay late to organise the av team, upskill them, complete a proper handover and relieve our stress. He takes new people under his wing “That’s easy” is his motto

An’s not afraid of competing either, testing himself and his skills on many stages. And he always shares his knowledge. 

An won our CiGS Throwdown in 2019. His prize money he gave straight to his wife. 

An came back in 2020 with a robusta because he had something to show about a coffee he loved.

An is practical. He built a hand coffee roaster in his backyard and shone on the international stage when he was the Winner of the Barista League online in 2020 beating out baristas from around the world.

He’s the only person whom I’ve ever seen to be ecstatic to win second place in the Aeropress competition because he wanted a trifecta of first second and third trophies.

He volunteers countless hours, turning up and making everything tick away seamlessly. 

Thanks to our sponsors at latte art, we catered to the crew with Vogel’s and Biscoff spread. And we borrowed a big toaster from Supreme. I didn’t have an exit plan for the toaster but An did. He said to a competitor “You work at Supreme eh? Take that toaster back. I’ll put it in your car”

And so An, an amazing Friend, the epitome of humbleness and helpfulness, this is another trophy to go on your already heaving shelf. With your quiet practical determination, there’s no doubt that you will probably add more to your collection over the years by continuing to donate your valuable time, gentle energy, Aroha, and skills to the coffee industry. Ngā mihi nui e hoa.

Thank you, friend,

I’d like to welcome Sarah Kennard winner of this award in 2021 to present An with his trophy.

If anyone has any video footage of An’s acceptance speech, we’d love to see it.  He was hilarious, loud, and put my words to shame.  It was comedy gold and we are thankful to have him as a friend.


Ongoing Contribution:

This is an award for an individual in recognition of their outstanding ongoing contribution to the NZSCA and the Coffee industry as a whole, they have consistently dedicated time and knowledge to make a lasting impact on the industry and the association.

     Emma Markland Webster presented David Po-Chun Huang with his Award.

He always makes time and gives his time freely to help others with their own growth in the industry, from guiding others to do more and sharing knowledge. 

He is not only a great ambassador for NZ specialty coffee on the world stage as a Judge but also as a friend and mentor to other coffee professionals and judges in NZ hoping to reach the same level one day.

David has been around the industry for a while, anyone that knows David will know he breathes coffee and café life. He is highly involved in the barista championship events. Not only in New Zealand but the world events too.  

 ‘The force is strong with this one’ 

David or ‘Huang’ as I have always called him (too many David’s) has been around coffee for a while his CV lists his first job as 2003 David was a head barista at Columbus Onehunga. I think he became head barista after 2 months of working and I think this was his first ‘serious’ role in coffee, hence the start of his CV. He credits the culinary shows and the early years of the Robert Harris Barista championship as a driving force.  

He lists his baby barista achievements as: 

2007 New Zealand Latte Art Championship – 2nd place  

2009/10 New Zealand Barista Championship 1st in Auckland region 
3rd in New Zealand  

2008 ~2010 Member of New Zealand Trans-Tasman Barista Team  

Core Achievements: 

SCAA-certified IDP Instructor 2011  

WCE certified judge, WBC sensory & latte Art 

2011~present, Latte Art & Sensory Barista New Zealand 

2011~2019 HSI workplace accessor. 

What he doesn’t list is: 

Skills as a roaster, coffee bagger, and business mentor to many, and where the best places to eat are anywhere in the world. Also a very good tour guide! Using public transport…

David’s favourite line is ‘Caring is Sharing’ and if this is so… he must care a lot as he gives sooo much of his time freely not only to coffee lovers in Auckland at cupping and learning events that he puts together and hosts but also the association through devotion to the championships and mentoring and sharing his knowledge with others. 

I have had the pleasure to sit/ride alongside David for many of these years on tour in NZ and overseas as a friend, teacher, judge, and fellow teammate in the Trans Tasman Years. He is always willing to roll up his sleeves, and just do what needs to be done. 

On speaking to David recently about his day-to-day I realised he truly is a machine to be able to do everything that he does. He wakes up at 5 am starting work at 5:30… This way he can get many tasks done undisturbed whilst the masses sleep. Genuis why have I never thought about this! 

Thank you David you are a legend.  

May the sharing is caring continue for many years to come… 


Life Time Achievement Award:

For individuals who have distinguished themselves in terms of making a significant contribution to the New Zealand specialty coffee industry. NZSCA lifetime membership is awarded to people who have served the coffee industry in New Zealand or brought distinction to it over and above the normal course of their job.
For an individual to qualify for a Lifetime membership, they must have fulfilled one of the following:

1. Excellence and high achievement in their career that reflects positively on the coffee industry;

2. Having served with distinction in the management of, or service to, the NZSCA or the coffee industry.

Lifetime membership is the NZSCA’s highest honour in recognition of coffee excellence and contribution.

Scott Pepler of UCC presented Nic with his Lifetime Achievement Award.

For Nic’s dedication to supporting the NZ industry, through mentorship of individuals and other companies over many, many years has to be noted. ​

Bringing the concept of a Barista Championship to NZ through the Robert Harris Barista Championship, supporting the NZCRA through the transition to the association, running the event, and in more recent years support through a long-standing board position. These are just some of the many reasons.

Please read what people had to say about Nic’s coffee career here>Nic McClean

Awarded in 2021

This year’s NZSCA Recognition Awards were sponsored by member company Sucafina. The rustic atmosphere at Sherwood, Queenstown created a celebratory air as 80 coffee industry legends gathered. The Recognition Awards acknowledge the individuals within NZ who give back to the industry and also create the community we have today. Nominated by peers, customers, and providers, the names are collated and then presented in a fun relaxed style befitting our community.

Carl Sara, previous NZSCA President and now representing Sucafina opened the Awards. Carl was a recipient in 2017 of the Development Award and took the moment to mention that the Awards are “an opportunity to work together, support and recognize the people who make a particular effort and who help support the Association and the industry as a whole. We feel very fortunate to support this.”


Sarah Kennard was presented Friend of the Association for her services to Championship volunteering by Scott Pepler and John Cole. Scott says “while Sarah may be in the background, she comes with a lot of coffee expertise. When I met Sarah, straight away, all my colleagues recognized her as a true coffee talent. The key thing with Sarah is her attention to detail and all the key communication to key people. I know how much work events take and with people like Sarah in the background, I’m pretty proud of you.”

Sarah accepted the award by saying she loves all the events she attends and loves being a part of this amazing community. “It’s all about coming along and supporting the community and this is the one time I can be fully involved in the community.

One of my favorite moments is the proud mum moment when the competitors finish their performance and you’re proud of yourselves, and the awards ceremonies and I cry”


Nic McClean then got up to speak: “This award winner is someone who has consistently supported and attended the events for many years. Always willing to lend a hand from helping on the main stage or quietly behind the scenes. Because the distances to the events are probably further than most but are never an issue, they often cut into family time. He, and it is a he, always has a friendly smile and some good advice if you need it. His taste in drinks is a bit sour and he can slag off our treasure of a national airline, but I am pleased to announce the Friend of the Association is Mr David Worth.”

On accepting the award, David said he “was quite chuffed” and perhaps there were a few happy tears shed. “I’m very grateful. It’s wonderful to be appreciated and recognize and it’s taken 40 years for anyone to recognize me as a friend!

“To receive this from my friends and peers in the NZSCA is very humbling. Coming over here in 2012, I was very new to the coffee industry. I was promised beer and skittles! It’s been a ride and an honour to be a part of the industry worldwide.

He was roped into being an MC because he was loud at a Latte Art Championship. “They didn’t have any amplification and I was it! It was such a fantastic event, I was so overwhelmed, I went home and had two heart attacks! That’s how much I put into this industry and how well-deserved this award is!”

David carried on to say “Also, this is an award that I take on board for my boss, Greg Clubb as AMC Roastery Supplies has tried to support the industry in New Zealand. We’ve found our voice with Emma Markland Webster and she’s the most amazing person I’ve worked with. She’s our coffee professional and coffee brain. We have our moments. She calls me Angry Man and I don’t know about that, I’ve never been angry in my life!”

David Worth summed up his acceptance speech by saying “Thank you to everyone, I have so many friends here, I can’t name you all, you know who you are. If you’re not my friend, come and buy me a beer, we’ll be friends. I’ll teach you how to make a whiskey sour”.


Tom Handiside of La Marzocco in Auckland was awarded the Development Award. Tom was presented his award by David Huang and Emma Markland Webster. These contributions may include but are not limited to the dedication of time, volunteerism, contributions of professional knowledge, exemplary work on a specific NZSCA project, or other notable contributions. His mahi towards events, inclusive industry knowledge, and giving of time won him this award.

Tom also served four years of service to the board in both allied and exec positions, another apt reason for him to win. He’d bowed out after spending a year as Vice President, a testament to his character of knowing his capabilities of having too many balls in the air. As such, Tom said, “while this is an individual award, I know that the countless talented teamwork that goes on to make the industry great is what really matters.”

He’s an “ideas guy and loved doing Coffee In Good Spirits. He thanked everyone who supported him too.”

Tom said he “was humbled, I’ve enjoyed contributing and the legacy of the board is great.”


Ongoing Contribution was awarded to Craig Miller of Miller’s Coffee in Auckland.

David Burton spoke: “Craig has always been serious about espresso, backed by a focus on hospitality. He has a passion for sensory delights, coffee, wine, ume plum, chocolate, ice cream. He loves combining flavours. He’s a guy who has such a lovely understanding of flavours and delights, but coffee was the centre of that. He’s so passionate he put his name on it, Miller’s Coffee.

“Craig knows the importance of preserving heritage as such he wrote Coffee Houses of Wellington. He’s done a lot of research. He realized very quickly that he had to gather the history. And we look forward to his next edition.

“Who else could bring us all together, first at the dock way events and more latterly at the Photo exhibition? There were 30 plus people on the wall and it was humbling to see who had been involved in the industry from the start We owe him the recognition for what he’s done for the industry and he deserves for his Outstanding Ongoing Contribution.”

Megan Wyper: “I met with Craig last week and started reading the following: This is an award for an individual in recognition of their outstanding On-going contribution to the NZSCA and the NZ Coffee industry as a whole, they have consistently dedicated time and knowledge to make a lasting impact on the industry and the association.

These contributions may include but are not limited to the dedication of time, volunteer, contributions of professional knowledge, exemplary work on a NZSCA project, or other notable contributions. Importantly, the contributions should be above and beyond every day and have had a long-lasting impact on the NZ Industry as a whole.

Craig’s response, “that sounds like something I’ve felt like an industry we have done together even though it’s an individual award. We must all maintain our individual identities but also work together as a collective.

Thank you, I’m very grateful for all of this.” 

Meg continues: “We then started chatting, as one does with Craig, about the dock way drinks he hosted at the office/garage space on cross street opp the roastery in 2004. I very much remember, as I’d heard whisperings of the event happening in the Millers’ roastery – basically it was being billed as a meeting of heads of states?

“In 2004 I was managing his café Serious Espresso in the city and living at the Roastery. I went out of my way to avoid the dock way that day as wow, it was an intimidating thought all of those old guys all chatting and mingling for this 19-year-old barista. So I hid away in the apartment above the roastery.

“I had picked up a phone book in early 2000 and started asking for jobs, Craig gave me a job at Serious Espresso – I quickly learned the Millers’ way to do things, you do not write orders down and there’s no till. I basically learned to multi-task very quickly and my ability to remember a dozen orders, do math in my head all while yelling at customers to come and grab their coffee.

“For a creative non-mathematical dyslexic this was mad! – but it was one of the best cafe educations you could have and I’ll be forever grateful for that proper start in the hospo game. 

“He taught/showed me to do what I love and that working in coffee and hospitality is a possible career not just something you do between school and life.”

Craig Miller is presented his Award by David Burton, June 2021

Thanks to Sucafina @sucafinaspecialty_asiapacific for sponsoring the Recognition Awards.

The next day at the AGM, Roz Cattell said “Overall, the caliber of the nominees was excellent,” commented Roz “The ceremony was put on hold, like many occasions, last year. Isn’t it incredible to be all together?” 

“It’s encouraging to see the quality and variety of recipients which was recognized this year,” said Roz.

This year’s NZSCA Recognition Awards were sponsored by member company Sucafina. The rustic atmosphere at Sherwood, Queenstown created a celebratory air as 80 coffee industry legends gathered. The Recognition Awards acknowledge the individuals within NZ who give back to the industry and also create the community we have today. Nominated by peers, customers, and providers, the names are collated and then presented in a fun relaxed style befitting our community.

Carl Sara, previous NZSCA President and now representing Sucafina opened the Awards. Carl was a recipient in 2017 of the Development Award and took the moment to mention that the Awards are “an opportunity to work together, support and recognize the people who make a particular effort and who help support the Association and the industry as a whole. We feel very fortunate to support this.”

Awarded in 2019

Life Time Achievement Award:

For individuals who have distinguished themselves in terms of making a significant contribution to the New Zealand specialty coffee industry. NZSCA lifetime membership is awarded to people who have served the coffee industry in New Zealand or brought distinction to it over and above the normal course of their job.
For an individual to qualify for a Lifetime membership, they must have fulfilled one of the following:

1. Excellence and high achievement in their career that reflects positively on the coffee industry;

2. Having served with distinction in the management of, or service to, the NZSCA or the coffee industry.

Lifetime membership is the NZSCA’s highest honour in recognition of coffee excellence and contribution.

See our Lifetime Achievement winners John Burton and Jeff Kennedy here>

WATCH THE VIDEO

Chris Dillon

Photo credit: Nik van der Giesen

Life Time Achievement Award: Chris Dillon> 2019

Former President Tony Kerridge presented the award to Chris and had the following words to say: “While tonight is about acknowledging the people in our industry, it is also the opportunity to celebrate our industry. The turnout tonight and support for these awards shows the strength of our industry.

Where competitors in business can come together to celebrate and acknowledge individual contributions that ultimately benefit us all.

The Lifetime Achievement award is to recognise someone who has made a significant contribution to the New Zealand Speciality coffee industry.  Since the Association was formed in 2005, it has only been awarded twice and the last time was nine years ago.  It’s a special award and so it should be. *roll tape*

Coffee Supreme with branches throughout New Zealand and Australia and more recently Tokyo is testament to Chris’ business acumen in building a world-class coffee company.  Coffee Supreme was recently named by gearpatrol.com as one of the 10 best Coffee roasters in the world. 

This is what they had to say: “Coffee Supreme regularly wins awards for bag design and is generally excellent at presenting its coffee, then you drink the coffee.  Coffee Supreme is decades ahead of most rosters in the coffee world.  It’s at the bleeding edge of coffee sustainability.  Its semi-concept shop acts as the most well-curated coffee gear store on the planet.  Coffee Supreme is the complete package.”  

However, for me, what warrants this recognition tonight is the contribution Chirs has made to the New Zealand coffee industry.  Chris was a founding Board member of the Association in 2005 and remained active on the Board for six years – one of it’s longest serving Board members and I was fortunate to sit on the board with Chris and experience working with him first hand. 

When the Association was formed, it had 27 members – an initial group of people who were enthusiastic and perhaps a few who didn’t really grasp what was going on.  In year two, this grew to 42 Members, perhaps the FOMO affect at play.  In 2007, Chris became president and three years on, the quite natural mutterings of members started, questioning the Association, it’s role, is it worth it?  What am I getting out of it? and the like. This was a challenging time for the Association and Chris through his calm and reassuring leadership guided the Association through this period, so successfully that when he left that Board in 2010, membership had grown to 67 members. 

I personally consider his presidency to have been instrumental in cementing the future of the Association and I don’t say that lightly.  He proved strong leadership a very challenging period in the Association development.  I believe without this, we might not be here celebrating tonight.”

On-going Contribution Award:

The 2019 recipient: Kim Boyd

This is an award for an individual in recognition of their outstanding on-going contribution to the NZSCA and the NZ Coffee industry as a whole, they have consistently dedicated time and knowledge to make a lasting impact on the industry and the association.

These contributions may include but are not limited to the dedication of time, volunteerism, contributions of professional knowledge, exemplary work on a specific NZSCA project, or other notable contribution. Importantly, the contributions should be above and beyond the every day and have had a long-lasting impact on the NZ Industry as a whole

Chris White of Altura Coffee had these words to say:

“Kim started as a barista 11 odd years ago on her return from Jpan, then she was scooped up as a barista trainer by one of those Wellington based coffee companies that invaded Auckland in the noughties.  Now she works for another Wellington based coffee companies that also invaded Auckland!  I’m trying to get Trump to build a wall at the Bombay Hills…

Kim has, for the last 10 years, been involved with local championships up and down the country and every certificated haded to every competitor and judge over the last 10 years has been handwritten by her impeccable calligraphy skills which is just one of her many talents.

Kim has also been a huge part of the World Barista Championship judging team worldwide for years and is highly respected by her fellow judges and by competing baristas.  This is due to the extremely high standards that she sets herself and her amazing attention to detail. 

One of my personal highlights with Kim was when Emma Markland Webster and myself had the job of asking Kim to judge the world barista finals in Seattle in 2015, her reaction was priceless and many a tea was shed (all by me). 

Kim’s dedication, passion and sense of humour make her one of those humans that you want to be around, not have to be around. 

I have asked a few people to say a few words about Kim and the most popular answers are a warm, caring, gentle soul.  Always keen to support people and share her time and knowledge.  Super smart and talented, even though she sometimes doesn’t realise this to the extent that she has these traits.  Super humble and an all-around great person. 

Most of all… handy to have when we are out at a Japanese restaurant. Deserved winner of this award… Kim Boyd”

Development Award

The 2019 Recipient: Masako Yamamoto

This is an award for an individual in recognition of their contribution to developing the NZSCA and the NZ Coffee industry as a whole.

These contributions may include but are not limited to the dedication of time, volunteerism, contributions of professional knowledge, exemplary work on a specific NZSCA project, or other notable contribution.

Friend of the NZSCA Award

The 2019 Recipient: Sam Low

For always being a passionate and enthusiastic supporter of the NZSCA.

This is an award for an independent individual in recognition of their personal contribution to the NZSCA. These contributions may include but are not limited to the dedication of time, volunteerism, contributions of professional knowledge, exemplary work on a specific NZSCA project, or other notable contribution.

Meg Wyper of Acme & Co presented this award and she had these great words to say:

“I’m so excited to be standing here presenting this award to two-time Latte Art and NZ Barista Champion 2016, Sam Low. 

He’s so focused on the NZ industry as a whole more so than on himself. It’s really refreshing to see a professional barista practising what they preach in such a sincere and graceful way. 

Sam goes above and beyond representing  New Zealand in the Industry, wither that’s as a barista, supporter, coach or just as a friend.

I have already mentioned this to some people but I was really impressed with how he presented himself and represented NZ off his own back in Boston at SCA, he makes an incredible effort to get to know people and introduce you to everyone. It doesn’t matter who you are in the industry you will be treated all the same. 

I couldn’t think of a more deserving person for this award.” 

Search