Wendelien van Bunnik
The Netherlands
Single Estate Coffee Roasters
Please tell us a little about yourself:
I’m have been in coffee for almost 10 years, of which I spent 7 years at Single Estate Coffee Roasters as Head of Training and sales manager. I’m a mother of a two year old daughter, and married to a loving husband, who works as a police officer.
I’ve been competing since 2011, and I’ve always dreamed of being on a WBC stage myself, ever since I was there in Melbourne ’13 to see Pete Licata win. I was a volunteer back stage in Amsterdam last summer, and seeing Agnieszka win WBC (up close!) was one of the most inspirational moments of my career.
It’s a honour to be on the WBC stage myself this year, and to represent not only The Netherlands, but also female baristas all over the world.
What are you excited to do in Boston?:
I am most excited about being able to do my competition run of course. I’m also greatly looking forward to meeting so many other passionate coffee professionals from all over the world, and hopefully make new friends, and learn, learn, learn from them. And when there is time left, I sure as hell want to check out the famous Harvard campus :-)
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
Dutch Barista Championships – prerounds 2011 – 14th place
Dutch Barista Championships – Finals 2016 – 2nd place
Dutch Barista Championships – Finals 2019 – winner
How do you see the coffee industry changing in the future?:
I hope that – at least in The Netherlands – the industry will become more and more inclusive, making it easier for minorities to compete, without being overshadowed. I feel like we are all working really hard already to achieve that, to make the industry more diverse on all levels, as well as in competition. I would love an more equal representation of men and women in both the industry as the competitions.
Where do you see yourself in five years?:
I hope I’ll still be doing what I’m doing now: teaching, inspiring and motivating other baristas on all levels to learn and grow. To not only teach about the coffee side of the job, but also the hospitality side, because I believe you are your actions.
What are your interests outside of coffee?:
Spending time with my family, dancing (salsa preferably), and also food makes me very, very happy.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WBC?:
I’ve had great support from my team as well as my company, my two coaches, Patrick Groenewold and Philipp Henauer from Switzerland, in particular. But of course the list is much, much longer…
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