JIMMY DIMITROV

Please meet @jimmydimitrov Clifton Coffee Roasters - Training & Education Manager and now Coffee Hero. Thank you so much for being part of the project! Jimmy’s story: 👇 “1. Hello Jimmy! Please introduce yourself and what do you do?

Hi, My name is Jimmy Dimitrov and I am Training & Education Manager at Clifton Coffee Roasters in Bristol, UK.

2. When did your coffee journey start and why it became your passion?

My coffee journey began almost a decade ago when I started working in a cafe as a ‘Busser’ (that’s what a person who clears tables is called in the U.S), then moved on to the coffee machine and quickly became a Barista (this is where my passion for coffee appeared), then I’ve worked in more senior Management roles in coffee and finally I am here at Clifton Coffee working as a Head of Training & Education.

3. What is speciality coffee for you?

Speciality coffee to me means something ‘Special' or the way you say Speciality or Specialty, it must be ‘Special’!?

Apart from carefully grown, harvested, processed, graded, roasted, brewed high quality Arabica coffee scored higher than 80 points, Speciality Coffee to me is the attention to details we put from the very first to the very last step! It is the ability of coffee to connect persons within and outside the industry from farmers to roasters to baristas to consumers to everyone and everywhere around the world!

As a Training & Education Manager at Clifton Coffee Roasters where do you think coffee industry is heading in the UK?

We have seen a massive growth within the industry over the past few years and we do hope that this will continue.

There’s nothing better than the industry you work within, progresses and grows fast!!! It only means that we are on the right track!

Higher demand for Speciality coffee for us means that we can keep working hard on developing sustainable relationships with farmers and their families and keep supporting them by purchasing more of the coffee they produce every year. This is extremely positive thing not just for the producers, but also for the industry and the final consumer - the customer.

It also means that good coffee becomes more accessible for everyone and everyone get the chance to try it!

5. What do you find most challenging at your profession? Drinking too much coffee! Sometimes could be challenging...

6. What is the next goal in your barista career?

To keep learning from other baristas! Teaching is an endless two way road - you teach and you learn at the same time.

7. What helps you to stay motivated and inspired? Some wise words for people who want to learn more about coffee?

My passion for coffee is definitely what keeps me to stay motivated! The eager to connect to persons and share experiences and knowledge is what keeps me inspired.

Wise words - “Keep working hard, be disciplined and be the change you want to see around you”