Leaders in the SCAE Community were celebrated in Gothenburg last week as the annual SCAE Excellence Awards were presented at the Nordic World of Coffee. Proudly sponsored by Demus S.P.A., the Awards are judged by the SCAE International Development Committee and honour SCAE members who have contributed to the success of the industry through education, innovation, sustainability and entrepreneurship.
‘The SCAE Excellence Awards, sponsored by Demus S.P.A., recognise the achievement of members within the coffee community, rewarding the passion and commitment of those who work tirelessly to grow and improve our industry,’ says David Veal, Executive Director, SCAE. ‘Through these Awards each year we honour those who have the courage, the imagination, and the drive to make a difference in the global coffee community regardless of rank or place.’
The winners of the 2015 SCAE Excellence Awards, sponsored by Demus S.P.A. are:
• Young Entrepreneur Award: Konstantinos Kostantinopoulos, Chief Executive of Coffee Island
• Passionate Educator Award: Patrick O’Malley, International Barista & Coffee Academy (IBCA), Espresso Italia, Infusion Coffee + Tea, and LiquidTech Coffee Services
• Innovation Award: Yves Clyford Desobgo Nguepi, AHA Engineering and Milkmate
• Working Towards Sustainability: Mathias Nabutele, Coffee A Cup
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Heinz Trachsel
‘All our winners are outstanding contributors to our industry,’ explains David Veal. ‘Heinz Trachsel has been involved in coffee for more than 40 years and has been a passionate supporter of the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe, contributing significantly to the development of our education programme.
Patrick O’Malley is one of the world’s foremost coffee educators. An Authorised SCAE Trainer, Roast Master, Tea Sommelier and Q Grader, he is a source of inspiration to future coffee leaders.
Yves Clyford Desobgo Nguepi is a coffee innovator, conducting extensive research into the water decaffeination process. Mathias Nabutele has spearheaded essential work in Uganda, reforesting areas where hundreds have been killed by devastating landslides.
And last but by no means least, Konstantinos Kostantinopoulos, has proved a rising star in the industry, doubling the size of Coffee Island, which is now the seventh biggest coffee chain in Europe.
