Dajo Aertssen
France
Coffee Makers
Please tell us a little about yourself:
I’m a former physical education teacher, who changed careers for good a couple of years ago, to fully focus on coffee. I work at Coffee Makers in Lille, where I mainly work as barista, but also help out with green coffee buying, roasting and training. I recently had the opportunity to spend 9 months in Brazil with the aim of learning as much as possible about specialty coffee production. I was lucky to meet Deneval Vieira and his amazing family, with whom I spent a lot of time at their farm, Sítio Cordilheiras do Caparao. Together we set up a sample roaster and started cupping and evaluating their lots, which helped me develop my cupping skills tremendously. I find it an exciting challenge to try to transfer this knowledge to our customers. To try to educate them without being snobby. I try to stay humble, open-minded and eager to continue learning.
How did you get started in coffee?:
In 2012, after having finished my studies, I moved to Melbourne for a year with the goal of getting my first work experience as a physical education teacher. While I was validating my diplomas I accepted a dishwashing job in a local café. That’s where I discovered the Melbournian coffee religion, and pulled my first shots when the head barista was on a break.
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
2018 French Cup Tasters Championship – 1st Place
What are you excited to do while you are in Brazil?:
Spend time at Sítio Cordilheiras do Caparao with my Brazilian family. I spent several months at their farm in 2017, to be able to understand the work of a specialty coffee farmer. So much respect!
What is your favorite coffee to cup?:
Anything from Sítio Cordilheiras (Caparao region, Brasil)
What are your interests outside of coffee?:
Food, natural wine, and nature
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:
Most probably somewhere in France. Surrounded by passionate people to help me push further to be a better coffee professional.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the competition?:
First of all my girlfriend, Coralie, for her eternal support and understanding. Secondly, the many people that helped me prepare for this championship. In particular Mateusz Gracz & Coffee Makers, Morgane Daeschner, Sébastien Maurer, Müge Textoris, Frédéric Poirier, La Caféotheque, l’équipe de Lomi, Coutume, l’Alchimiste, RBF, Charlene De Buysere, Jeroen De Boeck, Deneval Vieira and family, OOP and the many others. And finally the people at SCA France and Brita, for their human and financial support! Merci!
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