Ever wondered what really goes on behind the judge’s table at the World Barista Championship? 

In this episode of It’s Just Coffee!, hosts Rohan Cooke and Ben Bicknell sit down with Hendri Kurniawan - Jakarta Coffee Week founder, trainer of judges, and World Coffee Championship judge - to unpack the fascinating (and sometimes controversial) world of competition judging.

From the evolution of barista competitions to the myths around expensive coffees, Hendri and Ben share what it takes to be a fair, consistent, and credible judge. They dive into:

The core skills every judge needs - sensory training, calibration, and integrity above all else

 How score sheets, rules, and regulations shape competition outcomes

Hot takes on cold brew, co-fermented coffees, and whether coffee competitions are really “acting contests”

The huge impact competitions have had on innovation and specialty coffee culture worldwide

A heartfelt shoutout to the volunteers who make every competition possible

Whether you’re a competitor, a barista, or just curious about the behind-the-scenes world of coffee competitions, this conversation offers insider knowledge, bold opinions, and plenty of inspiration.

Follow Hendri Kernawan: @phatuncle   https://www.instagram.com/phatuncle/

Jakarta Coffee Week: @jktcoffeeweek

 https://www.instagram.com/jktcoffeeweek/ 

If you’re new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day - It’s Just Coffee!

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Want to get in touch? Hit us up at [email protected] for any questions or comments.

Proudly sponsored by:

Eco Barista: https://www.ecobarista.com.au/ 

Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ 

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