Janer Perez, Colombia
Juan Valdez - Café de Colombia
Please tell us a little about yourself:
With over 10 years of experience in specialty coffee, my journey began in my beautiful coastal hometown of Santa Marta. Over the years, coffee has become my true passion. I spent six years competing in the Brewers Cup, earning the national title in 2023 and having the honor of representing my country at the 2024 World Brewers cup in Chicago. Looking for new challenges, I also entered the National Barista Championship, reaching two finals before finally capturing the national title—giving me the immense pride of representing Café de Colombia once again, this time in a different discipline. Today, I work at Juan Valdez, where nothing makes me happier than sharing this deep love for coffee with fellow baristas, consumers, and producers alike."
What are you excited to do while you visit the Panama city?
I am incredibly excited to dive into Panama City’s vibrant coffee scene and connect with the local specialty community. so tasting local brews and sharing experiences. Beyond coffee, I can’t wait to explore the historic and local food.
What are your interests outside of coffee?
Outside of coffee, I love exploring history and reading about science. I also enjoy cooking, watching movies, and unwinding with video games in my free time
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WCC?
I would like to thank my company, Juan Valdez, for believing in me and supporting me throughout all these years, and Café de Colombia for the immense honor of representing Colombian coffee growers.
A special thank you to my coaches, Raul and Danilo, for guiding me and helping me become a better professional. I also want to thank my girlfriend, Jenifer, for being there through every stage of my life, and my family for their endless support.
Finally, my deepest gratitude goes to the coffee growers who trust me to work with their incredible coffee, to my amazing barista team, and to Pedro and Andrés from Juan Valdez for always supporting me, and to everyone who has contributed to my growth, both directly and indirectly.
