The 'Premiership' Coffee Team Coffee Talk : March 2004
My purpose today was to enhance my website with a good link list. As an avid Manchester United man I felt it might be a good idea to share my view of a team that would win the Coffee Champions League and let you have a look yourself. I have been inspired by quite a few Americans who despite the chains (who I am the first to cheer have brought coffee to the masses) are worthy world beaters in their passion for coffee excellence and I thought if Alex Ferguson can sign Tim Howard then I can include a few in my team too!
Add to that a couple of English & Norwegians, an Aussie, the obvious Italians together with the obligatory Irish and you have at least one version of a great team.
Here goes ;
1 Ken Davids
The best goalkeeper in the coffee business with his cupping expertise. He strives to entertain and educate coffee enthusiasts with interesting articles and objective reviews making him one the most respected people in the world. Last years best Premiership keeper was countryman Brad Friedal.
www.coffeereview.com
2 Dr Illy
Right Back and our Paulo Maldini. Respected and honoured as the best ..
www.illy.com
3 Paul O'Toole
Not just Denis Irwin but also the new John O'Shea. Say no more ....... Irelands leading Coffee expert and capable of amazing results with his excellent network of contacts and friends …. Then again he’s the Irish Champion of quality sourcing & roasting.
www.bewleys.com
4 Alf Kramer
Norwegians have always managed to give others ‘one hell of a beating’ from time to time and this guy is European Coffee Marketing’s Top Man. To be honest what Alf doesn’t know about how to sell coffee is probably not worth knowing. Look out for his new book on buying behaviour.
www.scae.com
5 Patrick Bewley
One of the Worlds Authorities on coffee although modest in the extreme. The Sweeper. Diplomatic and enormously knowledgeable he is our Bobby Moore and this teams Captain. Current club SCAE executive captain.
www.scae.com
6 Maurizio Azzarello
The best Equipment Specialist in the business this Italian would make most teams with his vast knowledge and presence and ability to come up with the questions that need answered.
www.cimbali.com
7 David Schomer
Playmaker and enormously influential quality shotman. Aims for extraction perfection every time and a real coffee genius. Takes all our free kicks and penalties and could easily also move to Madrid.
www.espressovivace.com
8 Don Holly
Exceptional talent. Massive Experience including SCAA Executive Director.
Big Influence on team & most expensive player ....... Like countryman
Schomer spent a season in Ireland. Indispensable in the Marketing
Department. Currently playing Quality Assurance with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters in the States.
www.gmcr.com
9 Tim Wendleboe
New 2004 World Barista Champion and the hottest property in Coffee. Sure to score lots of goals and equally good under pressure. Won 2004 WBC brilliantly - miles ahead of the rest.
www.worldbaristachampionship.com
10 Willy Hansen
Norwegian head barista of Solberg & Hansen AS and internationally recognized juror for the World Barista Championship plays a great game and still manages a quick fag at half time !
www.sh.no
11 Stephen Hurst
Ability to source the most exceptional coffee from Costa Rica , Nicaragua, Colombia, Brazil, Indonesia and Africa (Djemba Djemba plus Mzuri) makes him the best winger in the business. Top quality crosser of the ball.
www.coffeehunter.com
Subs
12 Jeremy Torz Innovative Roaster & Experienced Defender. Likes to play a little bit longer than the rest but always with excellent results.
www.unionroasters.com
13 Sharon Magowan The best Trainer in the business and the only female to make the team. Northern Irelands top player. The perfect super sub who can score at will – Our Georgie Best.
www.specialistbeverages.com
14 Denis McNamara a Malcolm McDonald or perhaps our Alan Shearer. Still scoring some crackers and coming up to a happy retirement. On form the big man is unbeatable - has played for everybody.
www.masterroast.co.uk
15 David McKernan Ex Irish Player of the Year struggling to regain form. Not the same player he was 5 years ago.
www.javarepublic.com
16 Danny O'Neill Tall Centre Forward with a brilliant head. A Coffee Leader too the bean baron has a fantastic coffee business to boot ......
www.theroasterie.com
Manager - Hugh Gilmartin .... Well what do you expect ! Don’t forget its only my opinion here so please feel free to share yours and nominate obvious missing persons in the all time coffee greats.
www.hughgilmartin.com
Chairman Howard Schultz ..... even though I have never met him he is perhaps to Coffee what Roman Abramovich is to Chelsea!
www.starbucks.com
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