Winston Thomas

To connect coffee lovers and professionals from all around the world, to inspire others, to make new friends.

Today we feature the story of :

WINSTON THOMAS

Please tell us about yourself.

My name is Winston Thomas. I am from Cape Town, South Africa. I have won the South African Barista Championships 3 times in 2017, 2018 and 2020. And have place 41st and 32nd at the WBC in 2017 and 2018 respectively. I am working to improve on this in Melbourne later this year. My role in the industry is mainly focused on Education and Training. I have recently started a business in Cape Town focused on this providing SCA Barista courses as well as consulting. 

 

What is your vision and goal?

My company is called Winston Douglas Coffee. Our goals and vision is to improve coffee knowledge and education throughout South Africa but also Africa through training courses but also by building networks, hosting events etc. On a consumer front but also with those working in the industry. We see this as a means of also increasing domestic consumption in African producing countries and creating a market for Africans to drink better quality coffee.

 

How did you get started in coffee, what made you fallen in love with it?

I grew up in a small town in Cape Town. When I was 22 I read a letter in my newspaper from a woman who complained that there was no good coffee in my town. This made ask myself the question, what is good coffee? After this I googled “best coffee in Cape Town” and started visiting the coffee shops and roasters on the list. I then did a barista course in 2013. After completing the course I knew I wanted to work in coffee. In 2014 after I completed my studies in Engineering I started working as a barista. The rest as they say, is history.

 

If you weren't a coffee lover or professional what would you have done instead?

I would still love to be teaching and working with my hands and senses. The best alternative I could think of would be working in another space of hospitality - perhaps wine or baking?

 

What is your favourite coffee beverage ?

It depends on the time of day. In the mornings I prefer to drink Espresso or filter (V60, Aeropress or Batch Brew). At lunch time I enjoy a flat white or cortado.

 

What do you see as the major challenges facing the coffee industry?

Right now everyone is facing the challenge of Covid-19. The immediate effects are very clear but I believe the biggest challenges will be the after effects of the pandemic on the entire coffee value stream and how it will affect producers, exporters / importers, roasters, cafes, baristas etc. The uncertainty of this after effects makes it even harder.

 

One tip to improve the coffee industry ?

Education and understanding between different roles and parts of the values stream. For example, producers understanding the role and the work of the barista and vice versa. Roasters gaining more insight into the work of producers, a deeper understanding beyond the information provided by the importer etc. A positive example of this has been with Espresso Machine manufacturers who have taken advice and feedback from skilled baristas / cafe owners and implemented changes to their designs to better serve the ergonomics and needs of a busy cafe.

 

What is your favourite quote ?

It is a bible verse. “And not only that, but we glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5: 3 - 4.

 
No story lives unless someone wants to listen
— J.K. Rowling