Andrés Paparoni, Spain
Nomad Coffee
Please tell us a little about yourself:
My name is Andrés Paparoni. I’m originally from Venezuela, but I’ve been living in Spain for the past eight years. I’m a Barista Trainer at The Nomad Coffee Academy in Barcelona.
I started my journey in coffee with my father, who is also a barista trainer, 12 years ago when I was just 14 years old. Since 2015, competing in the World Barista Championship has been my biggest dream. That dream started after watching Sasa Sestic’s World Barista Championship presentation with my father when I was 15 years old.
I’ve been competing since 2023, but last year was my first World Coffee Championships experience, when I traveled to Jakarta as the coach of the 2025 Spanish Brewers Cup Champion.
And finally, a fun fact about me: I absolutely love flags! One of my biggest hobbies is learning about the flags of countries around the world.
What are you excited to do while you visit the Panama city?:
More than anything, I'm excited to visit the incredible coffee farms of Panama and meet the producers whose passion and dedication have inspired so many baristas around the world. I've spent years enyoing Panamanian coffees, so being able to finally stand in those farms and learn from the people behind them will be a very special experience. Competing at the World Barista Championship in a country that has contributed so much to specialty coffee makes it even more meaningful.
What are your interests outside of coffee?:
Travelling, flags and maps of the world, football, chess, and discovering nice food wherever I go.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WCC?:
Competing in the World Barista Championship has been my biggest dream for many years. However, I know I could never make this dream come true on my own. It has only been possible thanks to the incredible people who have supported me throughout this journey.
First, my two coaches, Nuria Ruiz and Rebeca Silva; my wife, Hillary Gonzalez; my family, Gustavo Paparoni, Lisette Mendez, and Javier Hurtado; and, of course, Fran Gonzalez and everyone at my second home, Nomad Coffee.
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