Danny Wilson
Australia
ONA Coffee
Please tell us a little about yourself:
Senior Roaster at ONA Coffee. I took an interest in cocktails as a way for me to explore new flavour combinations in drinks, first just as a hobby but then combining some of my creations with coffee. I became interested in exploring how cocktails were new way of presenting the exciting flavours of coffee.
How did you get started in coffee?:
My first job was a café job, after working it for a few years I was introduced to the Ona Coffee team and joined the team as a coffee roaster.
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
6th year of coffee competitions
2018 WCIGS 3rd Place
2018, 2016 Australian Barista Championship Finalist
What are you excited to do in Berlin?:
I think that Berlin has such a world renowned nightlife and some really great cafes as well – I cant wait to visit as many as I can!
What was your first amazing experience with coffee?:
I had the chance to cup a microlot coffee from famous Honduras producer Don Fabio Caballero. I had never tasted such great acidity and sweetness in a coffee.
Besides your own competition drink, do you have a favorite cocktail?:
Recently, the Negroni has overtaken the Old Fashioned as my favourite cocktail. It’s so simple to put together and I love the combination of bitter and sweet with the rich texture of the drink – there’s also endless variations to try with different gins and vermouth!
What coffee-producing country interests or excites you most?:
Definitely Ethiopia, there’s so much still to learn about what makes the coffees from that country so distinctive. Producers in Ethiopia is also beginning to open up to more advanced processing techniques that are creating some truly spectacular cups.
What are your interests outside of coffee?:
When I’m not roasting or working on new drinks I love getting outdoors. Riding my bike, going for a bushwalk or just being outside with friends, its all good to clear your head after work.
Where do you see yourself in five years?:
Hopefully still making delicious coffee drinks and serving them to even more people around the world!
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WCIGS?:
Firstly my partner Britt, who is helping me out with everything to get ready for the competition. The whole ONA Coffee team for allowing me the opportunity to build my vision for great coffee cocktails, and making sure all my roasting jobs are getting done in the meantime. Finally the whole Australian coffee community, from ASCA, the volunteers and competitors who make the events happen to all the amazing businesses and sponsors who help support what we do.
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