Young Min Lee, Winner Tea & Coffee Asia World Cup Barista Championship of 2006.
In what capacity are you involved at the Coffee Business Support Center in South Korea?
The business Boundary of Coffee Business Center (Abbreviation "CBSC") are Barista Training, Coffee Consultant for the shop opening, menu development under my own management.
Barista training as the main business among them include not only to develop the basic frame and the typical training program but also technique, service and mind which Barista shall prepare basically at coffee training program, which Latte Art Subject include the basic training schedule.
Also CBSC is well-known to all Baristas and the relative persons of Coffee training fields as a leader in Korea.
How did you get involved in competing in the 2006 Tea & Coffee Asia World Cup Barista Championship?
Actually I got the opportunity to support the Schaerer Business at Schaerer Booth at Bern WBC this year, at the place where I made the presentation of Art Latte with my college. And also I was suggested to involve this championship from the relative persons of WBC, especially Deny Jones among attendant .
Swiss Schaere coffee Company is the supplier of Fully automatic Coffee machine to Korea Doinginternational Co.Ltd, simultaneously have kept the good relationship between both sides for a long time.
How long did it take you to train for this championship?
Actually I didn't feel to share the additional time to prepare this championship specially.
First of all, I had check and tried to understand the rule and the basic concept of the championship organization committee. Then I exhausted about one week to prepare the creative menu, others were basically equipped through my usual work.
How long have you worked in the coffee industry?
18 years since working at R& D Dept. Coffee Roasting company
Describe the types of beveragesthat you were judged on for this competition? And if you created a special coffee beveragefor this championship what was it and how was it made?
Through the trend of the creative menu at WBC championship contest in the World I found out the idea point which should be prepared the material directly, and direct heating method for source to solve the problem to be added the cooling material at heated beverage .
Also I tried that the material had selected the Korean origin, prepared the Korean traditional menu.
I believed that It was the opportunity not only to inform the Korean priority but also to comply with the taste to the world.
The material was prepared to Jam style by use of " Hanrabong" fruit similar to orange,
And then completely finished the menu after heating the source mixed "MASKAPONE" cheese to get the strong buddy taste when it mixed with Coffee.
What skills are involved in training to become a Barista?
First of all, I should think of the grinding adjustment and the beverage volume in the cup.
Simultaneously I think that the setting value of temperature and pressure for equipment
Is very important for the Barista.
Have you visited any other Barista Championships prior to participating in the Asia World Cup Barista Championship?
Actually I have never participated any domestic contest, only I have supported and trained the participants .
The first contest which I participated is the Latte Art contest of the Coffee and Tea World Cup championship at Singapore in the year 2004, and I got the record of the final contest.
Do you have any mentors in the coffee industry, and if so who and why?
I think the Baristas job for living was not only familiar with people but also the word meaning of " Barista in Korea . So I have a pride for myself to develop this Barista field as for living as Ifirst century in Korea
Under the difficult circumstances I think that my way as a Barista was not easy for me to learn Coffee technology and other skills due to unable to learn from the special teacher,
Nevertheless I have made an effort to obtain the internationally advanced technology through oversea Exhibitions or the famous barista as Ruijerubi of Italy, Yokohama of Japan, the excellent Baristas who work at Brazil, China, Australia etc. and kept a good relationship with them.
What did you do before becoming a Barista?
I was from customer' engineer relayed to Computer.
And then I was given a chance to work the planning job at coffee sales and roasting with Computer ability.
What is your favorite food to have with a espresso?
Especially I like the Italian FOOD. My favorite food is Italian Pizza , Pasta and Espresso Coffee .
Also I would like to create the flavor Coffee to enjoy with Korean Food in a near future.
What interests do you have outside of the coffee business?
As the social position of Barista as for living is not popular compared to Europe and America because it is very difficult for Barista to lead to commercial business, I am willing to make an effort to improve their social position for Barista and availability of technology and Coffee equipment.
Richard Wolak interviews Young Min Lee, Winner Tea & Coffee Asia World Cup Barista Championship of 2006.
POSTED: Wednesday, November 15, 2006