Danny Wilson
Australia
Ona Coffee
Please tell us a little about yourself:
I work as a coffee roaster for Ona Coffee, I love exploring new flavour profiles in coffee. Coffee in good spirits is such a great way to explore these flavours!
How did you get started in coffee?:
My first job was a cafe 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:
2014-2018 Australian Barista Championship
2016 & 2018 Australian Barista Championship – 6th Place
What are you excited to do while you are in Brazil?:
I’m hoping to visit Carmo de Minas where we get a large amount of our coffee every year. Then I think spending a bit of time on the beach in Rio I think.
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 stuck great acidity and sweetness in a coffee.
Besides your own competition drink, do you have a favorite cocktail?:
Old Fashioned.
What coffee-producing country most interests or excites you?:
Ethiopia! The wild varieties are still so poorly understood but consistently make such delicious coffee. I’m so excited about what we can discover there in the future
What are your interests outside of coffee?:
I’ve recently gotten back into mountain bikes. Getting outside is super important after long hours behind the roaster.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:
Still working in coffee but hopefully with an even better understanding on how to make it taste better!
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the competition?:
The whole Ona Coffee team! Everyone from baristas, trainers, to the office team, and warehouse guys are always happy to help you out however they can.
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