ALIN GIRIADA
CEO of Coffee Laboratory
Alin is a coffee industry veteran and the most qualified coffee professional in the country. He is one of the 5 Q Graders in the country and the ONLY Authorized SCA Trainer licensed to run all the Coffee Skills Program modules in Ireland. Also, he is one of the 3 Q Grader Instructors in Europe. With huge experience, covering coffee shops management, coffee roasting, product development and training, Alin has worked for some of the most important companies in the coffee industry and has trained managers and trainers for some of the most known coffee companies on the market like Bewley’s, Java Republic, Robert Robert’s, Frank & Honest, Insomnia, Bailies and others. Up to date, Alin has trained more than 3500 individuals. He is the founder and the CEO of Coffee Laboratory.
Alin is also one of the national judges for the Irish Barista Competition, Irish Latte art Competition and Irish Brewers Cup. He is also the Education Coordinator of the Irish Speciality Coffee Association.
Since 2019, Alin is a consultant for the US Agency for International Development, offering his services in various projects in the coffee-producing countries.
ANDRIUS VALIAUGA
Barista skills and Introduction to coffee trainer
Andrius Valiauga has over 14year experience with coffee. He worked with few coffee companies back in Lithuania and after he moved to Ireland back in 2004 he finds the passion for coffee. From Barista he became head barista, bar manager, trainer, training team co-ordinator. He is the Authorized SCA Trainer for Barista skills and Introduction to coffee.
Andrius Trained Irish Barista Champions of 2018 and 2019.
He competed in the Irish barista championship and in 2007 he became Irish Barista Champion and had the opportunity to represent Ireland at the world championships in Tokyo in 2008. Also, in 2008 he took part in the European barista challenge competition that took place in Moscow.
Since 2010 he is the national judge for barista competition. Also, every year Andrius is involved with training people for competition. Among others, Andrius trained the 2018 Irish Barista Champion Arvind Khedun and the 2019 Irish Barista Champion Wojciech Tysler. In his career, he has trained over 3000 individuals.
ROGER GONZALEZ ZAPATA
Barista Trainer
Working for the last 6 years in the coffee industry, Roger is a fellow Q Grader and has won 3rd place in the Irish Coffee Cup Tasting Championship 2019. He has worked for some of the major players in the Irish coffee market like Nespresso, Insomnia, Roasted Brown and PS Coffee Roasters. His experience covers barista skills, coffee brewing techniques, coffee roasting, coffee outsourcing and sensory analysis. He is a very passionate barista trainer, inspiring his students and offering a remarkable experience to anyone attending our courses.
Diana Riquel
DIANA RIQUEL
Tea Trainer
My relationship with tea is a little more than just an interest. As a child, my grandmother used to give me her famous “tea concoctions” every time I was feeling sick. Other times, we used to drink tea, chat, and watch the hummingbirds through her bedroom window for hours. It was always a magical experience. More than 10 years ago, I certified as a Tea Sommelier to follow my passion for the tea culture around the world. I was the first Tea Sommelier in my county, also, I was the director of the first Event Planning business, “La Comunidad del Té”, offering afternoon teas to celebrate social and corporate events. I had the privilege to be the first person teaching about tea in my city, Mar del Plata, delivering tea training and workshops for the hospitality industry and the public. Designing tea and herbal blends is my “me-tea-time”. I find inspiration from people, places, aromas, and energies in creating special moments and experiences.
Our partners
Marco
Beverage Systems
