Duc Viet Nguyen, Germany
1407 Breakfast Club
Please tell us a little about yourself:
I am a barista and coffee shop owner based in Hamburg, where I have been running my own café for the past two years. I have been fully dedicated to complex latte art for about one and a half years.
My journey into coffee started from a very personal place. With the birth of my son seven years ago, I wanted to create more time for my family and build something of my own. Together with my wife, we decided to step away from our family business (Vietnamese Cuisine) and open our café — which ultimately led me deeper into the coffee world.
Since then, I have been pushing myself to grow, both behind the bar and on stage. This is now my third competition, and stepping onto the world stage so early in my competition journey is both a huge challenge and an incredible opportunity.
I would describe myself as a perfectionist, always striving to improve — while learning to stay calm, focused, and present in every moment.
What are you excited to do while you are in San Diego?
I’m most excited about connecting with people from all over the world and learning from the best in the industry.
Since I’m still relatively new to the coffee scene, many of the competitors I’ve looked up to are people I’ve only seen online or on social media. Being able to meet them in person, watch them live, and learn from them directly is an incredible experience for me.
In a way, I still feel like a bit of a fan – and I think that’s what makes this moment so special. It’s a huge opportunity to grow, get inspired, and take the next step in my journey.
What are your interests outside of coffee?
Outside of coffee, I spend as much time as possible with my family. Every free moment is dedicated to them.
I love doing simple, everyday things — taking my son to football practice, playing Lego together, opening Pokémon cards, or spending time with my wife, whether it’s shopping or going out for dinner.
I would describe myself as very grounded and family-oriented. Traveling has become a big part of my life over the past two years, mostly through coffee, but whenever I can, I focus on being present with my family.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
In my relatively short time in the coffee scene, I’ve been incredibly lucky to meet so many supportive and generous people who helped me without expecting anything in return. That’s something I truly value.
I would first like to thank my wife, who supports me unconditionally, takes care of our family and our business, and gives me the space to train — even during long nights of preparation. None of this would be possible without her.
I’m also very grateful to Christian Ullrich, German World Latte Art Champion 2014, who helped me take my latte art to the next level and opened my eyes to more complex patterns.
Dario Pieber played an important role in shaping my competition mindset, showing me that it’s not only about technique, but also about storytelling and stage presence.
Daniel Gerlach has been a constant source of motivation, always pushing me forward with the right words at the right time.
A special thank you also to Mondrik from the UAE, who welcomed me warmly in Dubai and has been sharing valuable advice ever since.
I’m deeply thankful to the German coffee community and SCA Germany for welcoming and supporting me from the very beginning.
I would also like to thank the Haase family from Maya Coffee Roastery in Hamburg for their unconditional support — like a second family.
And finally, Viktor Gottschalk from Kiel, who introduced me to specialty coffee years ago. Without him, I probably wouldn’t be here today.
