Please share a brief overview of your background.
I am 34 years old, an Aries and have been in New Zealand for 6 years. The day I arrived in NZ, I sent in my resume straight away to Flight Coffee and was hired, and am still working there. My job title is Head Barista. Every year I compete in the New Zealand Latte Art Championship and in 2023 I won the competition on my third attempt and went to the world competition in Denmark.
In the future, my wife and I would like to open a coffee shop in Wellington.
How did you get started in the industry?
I started learning about coffee 10 years ago in Sydney. Because I saw a barista was making a beautiful latte art with style in front of people. I always wanted to be like him so that's what got me to the coffee world.
What are some significant milestones in your career?
I met my wife in 2019 and she is also a great barista. She was a good competitor and we were able to compete with each other's abilities, which is why I am where I am today.
Tell us about your latte art journey and what it was like to represent NZ.
I was most proud to represent New Zealand on the world stage. The fun of latte art is imagination and creativity. I believe that a lot of this is influenced by the environment. The beautiful natural environment of New Zealand has expanded my imagination and taught me the important part of taking on competitions with more freedom and fun.
I finally won the national championship and went to the world at the 10-year mark, and I wanted to praise myself for my efforts. This is not over, just begging. I will continue to challenge myself. Until I win the championship and get the trophy.
Can you describe your current role and responsibilities?
My position is head barista. My main responsibilities range from staff training to quality control. What I tell my team in particular is to "make our customers happy". We are essential in making the day of our customers, who drink coffee every day. That's why we focus on customer service.
Tell us about your business or the place you work. What sets it apart from others?
Flight Coffee is a Wellington-based company. The Hangar Cafe where I work has a wide variety of beans. We have three types each of espresso and filter coffee, and a tasting flight what you can try them all at once. The other thing that sets us apart from other cafes is our passion for coffee competitions. The company has participated and won in various competitions such as Latte Art, which I won, Barista Champion, Brewer's champion, Cup Taster, and Aeropress Champion.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in your career or business and how have you overcome them?
Left Japan and started speaking English, which is not my native language. The challenge is to continue to do so for a long time to come, and that is something I am still working on.
What achievements are you most proud of?
Of course, I won a latte art competition and made it to the world stage.
What advice would you give to others starting out in the Hospitality industry?
Be enjoy your work. This is very important. As a barista, I make coffee for customers. My feelings always show up in the taste of the coffee and in the food. If you make coffee when you are feeling sad, it will taste sad and your latte art will not be well drawn. The important thing is to be happy and to convey that feeling to the customer. This is the most difficult skill to master, more so than the skill of drawing latte art or the skill of sensing the taste of coffee.
Are there any resources or strategies you recommend for success?
It's about taking care of what you love. In my case, I love SpongeBob, Shaun the Sheep, and Tintin. I believe that the things that I loved to play as a child, cartoons, those kinds of things make me happy as an adult. The same goes for sports and cooking. Anyway, I believe that being in touch with the things you love is a good way to express yourself and be who you are. Everyone, watch Sponge Bob and learn hospitality!
What are your plans for the future of your career?
To be a latte art champion to the world.