Shinsaku Fukayama
Australia
St Ali
Please tell us a little about yourself:
I was a chef in Japan and I really wanted to become a barista and moved to Melbourne. I started making coffee when I came to Melbourne, and I’ve been working in the coffee industry almost 5 years. When I came to Melbourne I didn’t have experience, and I didn’t know how to speak English, but I had a passion and motivation to become a barista. It was very hard to find a job when I was a beginner and made a lot of mistakes, but improved a lot as well. I studied and trained hard almost everyday to become a barista. This year, I became the 2018 Australian National Latte Art Champion! It’s my pleasure to represent Australia. I would love to share my passion and motivation to everyone.
How did you get started in coffee?:
When I was in Japan, my father loved drinking coffee and one day he bought a home espresso machine. After I saw the machine I became interested about coffee and I searched YouTube about it. I found out that Melbourne is one of the best place for coffee, so I decided to move there. That’s how I started my coffee journey.
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
2018 Australia Latte Art Championships – 1st Place
2018 Southern Australia Latte Art Championship – 1st Place
2017 Australia National Latte Art Championship – 2nd Place
2017 Southern Australian Latte Art Championships – 2nd Place
2016 Australia National Latte Art Championship – 2nd Place
2016 Southern Australian Latte Art Championships – 2nd Place
2016 Latte Art Championships – Coffee Fest in Dallas – 1st Place
2016 Latte Art Championships – Coffee Fest in Tokyo – 3rd Place
What are you excited to do while you are in Brazil?:
I really excited to comptete in Brazil and excited to meet everyone.
What is the most unusual vessel you have poured latte art into?:
Avocado.
What is your secret to making great latte art?:
Training and meditation.
What are your interests outside of coffee?:
My wife, Momo.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:
I will still be in the coffee industry. My life has changed a lot since I found coffee, so I would like to contribute by sharing my skills and experience to everyone all over the world.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the competition?:
I really appreciate the St.Ali team, my best friend, Makoto, and my wife, Momo. They’ve always supported me a lot, and I couldn’t make this happen without them.
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