Christopher Sahyoun Hoff, Denmark
April
Please tell us a little about yourself:
"I have been working in specialty coffee for 7 years. Last year I started working at april here in Copenhagen. During my time in specialty coffee I have competed a total of 5 times in the danish barista championship. This will be my first time competing in the world championship. Before I was into coffee, or even knew what good coffee was, I was working as a mixologist, but only working late hours didn’t suit me very well. This led me to discover specialty coffee and I have loved it ever since. I still have a love for mixing drinks and exploring new flavor combinations, this is probably what let me to compete. The part of the barista competition I enjoy the most, is to learn and explore. It’s fantastic to have a platform, where you can express yourself and your style, and then share it with others.
What are you excited to do while you are in Milan?
I have always loved visiting Italy, it is definitely one of my favorite countries to visit. I haven’t been to Milan, but I’m super excited to explore the food, cultural sites and of course the coffee! I love espresso machines and other mechanical things, so I’m looking forward to see the different vintage espresso machines around town. I’m excited to experience some of the historic espresso bars around town.
What are your interests outside of coffee?
When I’m not doing any coffee related things, you will probably find me cooking or trying different fermentation techniques. Me and my girlfriend love to forage and spend time in nature. Spending time in nature is a great escape from the city life. It’s a great way to relax and also often has the benefit of bringing back something tasty. I would say these different hobbies go very well together.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
I would 100% not be able to compete, if it wasn’t for the support and help from my girlfriend Caroline, she is competing as much as I am. Thanks to Christos for coaching me and helping me remembering how fun this competition can be. Thanks to Ewelina for helping me being organized and making sure everything is ready on time. Also thanks to Patrik for supporting me and guiding me through this new challenge.
