Donna Ahern talks to Wojciech Tysler, coffee excellence manager, Bewley’s Tea and Coffee, and award-winning barista.
How would you describe your role?
I still oversee barista training at Bewley’s, but I am now also looking after key accounts, to keep the quality of the coffee in place, and I am developing seasonal drinks for our customers as well.
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?
I was selling flowers in a market, and I learned about the importance of customer service, talking with people, and building relationships with the customers.
It is extremely important in our industry.
What do you enjoy most about your current job?
I love passing on my knowledge about coffee.
Sometimes people think, it’s just coffee – press the button, but what I love to do is prove that it is not just the milk and coffee.
Coffee is like a science – you are dealing with different origins, different roasts – and I love passing that knowledge on to others.
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
World Barista Champion! In June this year, I will represent Ireland for the third time at the World Barista Championships in Athens.
What is your advice to people starting out in the industry?
Learn about the coffee because it is beautiful.
Coffee is my lifestyle.
If you are taking an order for a coffee, you have to remember there is a person waiting for it. Make sure that the customer service is there.
What was your worst job, and what was so bad about it?
I don’t know if I can point to any job as being the worst.
There were certain jobs I didn’t like very much, but I have learned from every single job, even the bad ones.
What advertising campaign have you most enjoyed in recent months?
I’ve always loved the Guinness ad campaigns.
Every time Christmas is coming, you look out for them.
Read More: Young Consumers Driving Change In Coffee Habits, Says Barista Wojciech Tysler
© 2023 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. For more A-brand news, click here. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
