Jakub Smolka, Czech Republic
Independent
Please tell us a little about yourself:
I’ve been working in coffee since 2017, when I started as a part-time barista during high school — mostly because it seemed like a cool thing to do (especially with girls). Over the past 8 years, I’ve grown with Nordbeans, a roastery in my hometown of Liberec, where I’ve worked as a barista, trainer, and — for the past couple of years — mostly in marketing and strategic development. I’ve been competing since 2020. For me, competitions are not just about skill — they’re a space for creativity, innovation, and growth. Even though I’m no longer behind the bar every day, competing keeps me connected to what I love most about coffee. And while I’m here as an “independent,” I’m far from being alone. I’m lucky to be surrounded by a tight crew of friends, family, mentors, and coffee professionals who’ve had my back every step of the way — and to whom I’ll always be grateful.
What are you excited to do while you are in Milan?
Train, compete and repeat, lol.
What are your interests outside of coffee?
I grew up in the mountains, so nature has always been part of my life — hiking, running, or just clearing my head outdoors. I’m also a long-time Chelsea fan and a big food enthusiast. My passion for gastronomy goes hand in hand with a growing interest in agriculture — because I believe the choices we make around food shape the kind of world we live in.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
Friends & Family (Nela, Kamila, Dominik, Alica, Radek, Vojta, Alex, Janina, Vag) & Nordbeans crew.
