Raúl Rafael Artigas Perozo
![Raúl Rafael Artigas Perozo]()
The café buzzed with the scent of fresh grounds, but the La Marzocco Strada loomed before Raúl Rafael Artigas Perozo—an untouchable steel god. He wasn’t a barista, just the pastry guy, mesmerized as latte art swirled into cups. How did milk bend like that? He clutched the chipped mug his…
IMNABMarch 5, 2025
Suraj Bhandari
![Suraj Bhandari]()
“What inspires me daily is the work itself,” says barista and coffee consultant Suraj Bhandari from Nepal, now based in Dubai. This ex-pat found his passion in specialty coffee, championing Nepali coffee on the global stage. His story reflects the journeys of countless individuals who leave home in search of…
IMNABJanuary 8, 2025
Jaye Sanders
![Jaye Sanders]()
Jaye Sanders’ story isn’t just about coffee; it's about resilience, finding joy in the small things, and sharing that happiness. From New Zealand, she began working with coffee at 15, but it's her personal journey that truly shines. Jaye Sanders Jaye’ journey into the world of coffee isn’t marked by…
IMNABOctober 21, 2024
Gladys Kutakuta-Luzolo
![Gladys-Kutakuta-Luzolo-and-her-mom]()
After spending over a decade immersed in the fashion and digital marketing industries, Gladys Kutakuta-Luzolo’s career took an unexpected turn during her expatriation to Seoul, South Korea in 2018. What started as a simple appreciation for coffee gradually transformed into something deeper as she explored the bustling city’s unique coffee…
IMNABOctober 3, 2024
Nikos Antzaras
![Nikos Antzaras]()
When people talk about the champions of Greece, Nikos Antzaras’ name is impossible to ignore. A two-time barista champion of Greece and a mechanical engineer by training, Nikos is a testament to resilience, passion, and the drive to make meaningful change in the coffee world. His journey from the lecture halls…
Oluwatobifunmi OlaniranSeptember 30, 2024
Barista Alejandro Lozano Struggles to Compete Amid Financial Hardship
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In the world of coffee competitions, the journey is often as significant as the destination. For Alejandro Lozano, an experienced barista in his late 40s from Mexico, the path to his next competition has been marked by hardship, uncertainty, and an unwavering determination. Despite being jobless, facing financial difficulties, and…
IMNABAugust 23, 2024
Duncan Lim
![Duncan Lim]()
Weave your way through thousands of attendees, careful not to disrupt the air of scarcely contained excitement as you press further into the thrumming crowd. As you do, peer through the colorful, merchandise-laden booths — there, amid the hustle and bustle of Malaysia’s premiere, week-long coffee festival, you might be…
Riley RogersAugust 15, 2024
CK – Kwok Sze Ki
![CK Kwok Sze Ki Brewing Coffee]()
Will Robots eventually replace Baristas? In our rapidly advancing technological world, difficult discussions constantly arise. Discussions that ten or fifteen years ago would have seemed like jokes or science fiction can now tear a room apart due to differing opinions. But what if we’ve found a way to start those…
Oluwatobifunmi OlaniranAugust 9, 2024
Ahmet Talha Selçuk
![Ahmet Talha Selçuk not a barista]()
Nestled along the shore of Southern Turkey, where the land curls away from the rough brine of the Mediterranean Sea, lies Antalya. Amid the hustle and bustle of its fast-growing present and the not-yet-faded vestiges of its still-visible past, lingers an air of timeless beauty one cannot help but admire. …
Riley RogersJuly 25, 2024
