Adeline Kespi
France
Coutume
Please tell us a little about yourself:
I am Adeline and I am 22 years old. I live in the most beautiful city of the world, Paris!
I am very new to the coffee industry because I used to work as stage manager in operas.
During an free period, I had the opportunity to work for friends, they were going to open a coffee shop, Alma. I worked with them for a year and a half, before joining Coutume’s team 2 months ago as a barista in the Finnish Institute in Paris.
How did you get started in coffee?:
It’s almost 2 years since I discovered the coffee industry, and around a year and a half since I’ve worked as a barista.
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
The one and only competition in coffee that I have participated is the National Championships of Latte Art. It was in April 2018 in Paris, and I came first.
What are you excited to do while you are in Brazil?:
The country is very famous for it’s plantations and farms, so I am very excited to have the possibility to discover it. Also, I hope I will meet farmers and talk with them about their vision for coffee. It will finally give a sense to my job.
What is the most unusual vessel you have poured latte art into?:
Once I tried to carve a pepper to use it as a pitcher, and it didn’t work very well… so I used it to pour latte art into.
What is your secret to making great latte art?:
I truly think that humans can develop any skill they want. You need a lot of perseverance and a bit of creativity!
What are your interests outside of coffee?:
Music, opera, and every kind of art that exists! I am very curious, so I always change my hobbies. It can be skateboarding one month, and knitting the next…
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:
I’d like to travel in coffee. I want to meet people from everywhere—baristas, roasters, engineers, import companies, and farmers. I’d like to learn more and more from them about coffee, green coffee in particular. I would also like to be more involved in the sociologic analysis of the industry.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the competition?:
I would firstly like to thank Albane Théry, my coach and my friend. She taught me everything about coffee. She’s never stop sharing her passion, with incredible patience and determination. I am very grateful. Rudy Dupuis, my other coach who believed in me and in my skills, and pushed me at every trainings. Magdalena Brodzinska and Nir Chouchana, for their presence and tips despite the distance. The entire lovely team at Coutume—my bosses, as well as my colleagues. They support me and bring me good vibes every day. The coffee shop Alma, because this is where it all began. SCA France, Van Hoos and Sons, the RBF, my sponsors – Lactel, Brita, Jibbilittle, …- and my awesome friends. Thank you!
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