Dan Fellows
United Kingdom
Origin Coffee
Please tell us a little about yourself:
Based in London
Head of Wholesale at Origin Coffee
UK Barista Champion 2016
Competing since 2012
Grew up in Cornwall, England
How did you get started in coffee?:
When I turned 18, I was invited to begin working in a cocktail bar which so served excellent coffee. Immediately fell in love with both!
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
2012 / 2018 UK Coffee in Good Spirits Champion
2012 World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship, Seoul – 4th Place
2016 UK Barista Champion
2016 World Barista Championship, Dublin – 9th Place, Semi-Finals
What are you excited to do while you are in Brazil?:
Compete!
Meet locals and producers
Taste the amazing food
Celebrate coffee and cocktails with other like-minded friends
What was your first amazing experience with coffee?:
Tasting my first single origin espresso at Kaffeine in London, which happened to be roasted by Origin. I approached Origin who were based only a few miles from my home in Cornwall went on to compete with the same coffee in UKBC.
Besides your own competition drink, do you have a favorite cocktail?:
I very rarely drink the same cocktail twice, always looking for something I have not tried before – be that an interesting flavour profile, approach, concept or method.
What coffee-producing country most interests or excites you?:
Every coffee producing country has its own identity, but from a purely experimental and quality perspective, currently I would select El Salvador and Nicaragua. Both are producing such diverse coffees, varietals and new processing methods.
What are your interests outside of coffee?:
Cocktails, Food and drink, Health and fitness.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:
Further bringing together amazing coffees, spirits and cocktails, as well as new and innovative approaches to all.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the competition?:
– My amazing fiancée Emma
– My coach Paul Ross
– Everyone at Origin Coffee
– Carlos, Patty and the team at Finca San Antonio in El Salvador
– The team at Fincas Mierisch in Nicaragua
– Friends and family who have supported and tasted drinks along the way
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