Angel Kotsifakis - Greece

2026 - WCIGS - Greece

Instagram: @angeloofficial

Please tell us a little about yourself:

My name is Angel Kotsifakis, and I am a coffee professional based in Crete, Greece. I serve as the Head of the Coffee Department at VK Quality Brands and represent Seed Coffee Company. Coffee is not just my profession it is my passion and my way of expressing creativity, culture, and hospitality.

I have been competing in coffee championships for several years. I am the Greek Cezve/Ibrik Champion 2025 + 2026 and had the honor of placing third in the world at the World Cezve/Ibrik Championship in Switzerland and placing second in the world at the World Cezve/Ibrik Championship in Dubai . I am the Greek Champion of CIGS for 2026 and i have earned multiple first-place finishes in Brewers Cup preliminaries in Crete.

My journey into coffee started through my family business. Working alongside my father who is both my mentor and the CEO of VK Quality Brands I discovered early on that coffee is a powerful tool for connection. What began as involvement in the family company evolved into a deep commitment to excellence, competition, and continuous learning. I don’t see setbacks as failures; I see them as opportunities to grow.

I chose to compete because competition pushes me beyond my limits. It forces me to refine my skills, deepen my knowledge, and elevate the standards of service and quality we provide to our partners and clients. Through competition, I aim to honor tradition especially the rich heritage of Greek coffee while embracing innovation and modern techniques.

Fun fact: beyond coffee, I am passionate about running and endurance challenges. The discipline of sport mirrors the discipline of competition preparation consistency, focus, and resilience. Above all, I am a proud husband and father, and my family is my greatest source of strength and inspiration.

For me, coffee is more than a beverage. It is culture, storytelling, precision, and emotion all served in a cup.

What are you excited to do while you visit Brussels?

I’m truly excited to experience the city not only as a competitor, but as a guest.

Whenever I travel for the WCC, I try to connect with the local coffee community visiting specialty cafés, meeting roasters, and exchanging ideas with baristas. Every city has its own coffee identity, and I love discovering how tradition and innovation blend in different cultures.

I’m also excited to explore the local gastronomy. As someone who works closely with both coffee and beverages, I’m always curious about flavors, ingredients, and hospitality styles. Food and coffee share the same language of balance and storytelling.

Beyond coffee, I enjoy walking through the city, observing architecture, history, and everyday life. These moments help me relax before competition and often inspire parts of my presentation.

Most importantly, I’m excited to connect with competitors from around the world. The WCC is more than a championship it’s a global family. Sharing experiences, learning from each other, and celebrating our craft together is something I truly value.

For me, every host city becomes part of my journey not just a stage to compete on, but a place to grow, connect, and be inspired.

What are your interests outside of coffee?

Outside of coffee, I’m deeply passionate about running and endurance sports. Long-distance running helps me clear my mind, build discipline, and strengthen my resilience qualities that directly translate into my preparation for competition. The mindset required for endurance training is very similar to high-level coffee performance: consistency, precision, and mental strength.

I’m also very interested in gastronomy and flavor pairing, especially the connection between coffee and spirits. My background and experience in Coffee in Good Spirits has strengthened my curiosity about how different ingredients interact, and I love experimenting with balance, aroma, and texture beyond the coffee cup.

Most importantly, I value family time. Being a husband and father is my greatest role. Spending time with my wife and children keeps me grounded and reminds me why I push myself to grow both professionally and personally.

For me, life outside coffee is about movement, creativity, and meaningful connection the same principles that guide me in my work.

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

Absolutely. No one reaches this level alone.

First, I would like to thank my family especially my wife and children for their patience, love, and unwavering support. They are my emotional foundation and the reason I push myself to become better every day.

I am deeply grateful to my father, my mentor, and the CEO of VK Quality Brands. Working alongside him has shaped not only my technical knowledge, but also my values: discipline, integrity, and long-term vision. His guidance with my mother has been instrumental in my journey.

I would also like to thank my team and partners at Seed Coffee Company for their support, cupping sessions, feedback, and countless hours of preparation. Behind every presentation there are many people contributing ideas, tasting, adjusting, and refining.

Finally, I’m grateful to my sponsors, mentors, and fellow competitors who challenge me to improve. Competition is never an individual achievement it is the result of collaboration, trust, and shared passion.

I carry all of them with me on stage.