Chiara Nicolini, Peru

Punto Café

Please tell us a little about yourself:

My name is Chiara Nicolini, and I have been working in the coffee industry for more than 20 years. I am the co-founder of Punto Café, a specialty coffee roastery and café in Lima, Peru, where we serve exceptional Peruvian coffees through direct relationships with producers.

My coffee journey began while I was living in Barcelona, where I worked as a barista while studying. That was where I discovered my passion for coffee and the industry that would shape my career. In 2007, I had the honor of representing Spain at the World Barista Championship in Japan.

When I returned to Peru in 2013, I dedicated myself to specialty coffee with a clear purpose: helping elevate the profile of Peru's coffee production chain. Over the past decade, I have worked across different areas of the industry, building meaningful relationships with producers, learning throughout the entire value chain, and contributing to the growth of specialty coffee in my country.

Today, I have the privilege of returning to the World Barista Championship, this time representing Peru. Coming back after 19 years makes this moment incredibly meaningful. Throughout those years, I never stopped dreaming about competing again, but I first wanted to gain the experience and perspective that only time can bring. In 2024, I knew the time had come, not only to compete again, but to lead by example and share my vision for the future of our industry.

I compete to challenge myself because competitions inspire us to research, question, innovate, and evolve. More importantly, I hope my journey encourages others to believe that it is never too late to pursue a dream. Through hard work, discipline, consistency, and passion, dreams can become true.

Representing my country on the world stage is both an honor and a responsibility that I carry with immense pride.

What are you excited to do while you visit the Panama city?:

I'm looking forward to exploring the local coffee scene by visiting cafés and, if possible, a coffee farm. I love discovering how coffee is experienced in different cultures and connecting with the local community. But my main focus will be the competition and making the most of this incredible experience. Representing Peru on the world stage is a great honor, and I want to enjoy every moment of it.

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

Outside of coffee, I love traveling and discovering new places, cultures, and experiences. I'm naturally curious and adventurous, and I enjoy stepping outside my comfort zone whenever I can. I love spending time at the beach too, staying active, and taking care of my well-being. Cardio boxing and yoga are two of my favorite ways to exercise, they keep me physically strong, mentally focused, and balanced. Most of all, I cherish spending quality time with my family, who are my greatest source of support and inspiration.

Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WCC?:

I would first like to thank Saša Šestić, not only for believing in me and coaching me throughout this journey, but also for taking the time to travel to Peru to visit coffee producers alongside me. Seeing him generously share his knowledge and technical expertise with producers to help improve their farm practices was truly inspiring. Beyond the technical preparation for competition, that experience reminded me of the importance of giving back, sharing knowledge, and creating a positive impact throughout the coffee value chain. It is something I hope to continue doing throughout my career.

I would also like to thank my incredible team at Punto Café for always believing in me and supporting this dream, my family for their unwavering encouragement, and, most importantly, the coffee producers who trusted me to represent their coffees on the world stage. This competition is as much theirs as it is mine, and I am honored to share their work with the world.

Finally, I want to recognize everyone who has contributed to bringing my presentation to life. I couldn't have asked for a better team. From local artisans and ceramicists to beverage specialists, chocolatiers, architects, photographers, illustrators, scientists, and so many others, each person generously shared their talent, creativity, and expertise. This routine is the result of a truly collaborative effort, and I am deeply grateful to every individual who helped turn this vision into reality.

Follow on instagram