Sergey Blinnikov
Russia
Cezve Coffee
Please tell us a little about yourself:
I have been working with coffee since I was a student, five years ago. Since then, I have worked in a large number of coffee shops. Now I am a head barista in the Cezve Coffee chain of coffee shops in Moscow, Russia. I am extremely happy to work with a unique coffee, and want to do this all the time.
How did you get started in coffee?:
I started working in a coffee shop at the age of 16, when I was in college. Then I worked with poor quality coffee, but I remember my first cup of specialty coffee. It was a natural El Salvador, and it was love at first sight. I realized that I wanted to align my life with coffee.
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
2018 Russian Cezve Ibrik Championship – 3rd place.
2019 Russian Cezve Ibrik Championship – 1st place.
What’s the secret to a great Cezve/ Ibrik beverage?:
The right roasting and extraction time.
What are you excited to do in Berlin?:
Get to know a lot more wonderful coffee people!
What was your first amazing experience with coffee?:
The first ever specialty coffee for me was an El Salvador brewed in a Bonavita dripper. It was super sweet! I also had an eye-opening experience from an experimental geisha from Panama—it was unbelievable!
What coffee-producing country interests or excites you most?:
Truth to be told, all of them! Each and one of them is unique!
What are your interests outside of coffee?:
Cooking!
Where do you see yourself in five years?:
I’ve always wanted to educate others about coffee, share what I’ve learned. So, I will be a trainer in our chain of coffee shops. A target of mine is judging coffee championships too.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the CIC?:
Marina Khuyppenen, and Anastasia Soroka – my mentors and inspirations! Nothing would have happened without them! Valentine Moksunova, my idol! Sergey Plutahin, for providing some great inspiration and products! Oleg Ivanov, for helping throughout my preparation! I’d also like to thank my mother, and the whole Cezve Coffee team for believing in me!
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