With an aviation theme this year, I am really looking forward to coming back as Head Wingman/Roastress, guiding the crew as we search for this years’ Top Gun at Golden Bean!

I am also looking forward to seeing many new and familiar faces as we navigate our way through the various categories and enormous amount of entries with our trusty wingmen by our side!

And, as always, GB is a great opportunity to meet, network, learn and improve our own evaluation and tasting skills – valuable skills & knowledge we can take back and apply to our own workplace.

It will be October before we know it! So best of luck in the coming months as you think about and prepare your entries and start planning that all important costume for the Grand Final dinner!

Cheers,
Coops

Anne Cooper
Head Wingman – The Compak Golden Bean 2014

Bio: Anne has been in the coffee industry for 22 years and has had the opportunity to work at all levels – as a barista, cafe owner, diploma qualified trainer and assessor delivering and developing accredited barista training programs and competitions for baristas and franchisees.
Anne has also been involved in the AASCA (AustralAsian Specialty Coffee Association) barista competitions where she was the QLD Barista Champion and National Finalist 2006-2008, Finalist Judge at the 2009 & 2011 State and National barista competitions, and also a member of the successful Australian Trans-Tasman Barista Team.

In 2007 Anne moved into the production/manufacturing side of the industry as Roasting Production Manager for Di Bella Coffee. During this time at Di Bella Coffee she had great success with The Golden Bean Roasting Competition, winning a silver medal in 2008 and then winning the overall coveted Golden Bean in 2009.

In 2010 Anne achieved the SCAA Cupping Judge Certification & Q Graders Certification before moving to New York City to take up the position of Head Roaster for Dallis Bros Coffee. During her time in the US Anne took part in the many SCAA events where she was a member of the winning team in the highly coveted Team Roasting Challenge at the 2012 Roasters Guild Retreat. She also dusted off her competition tamper and competed in this year’s 2013 US NERBC Regional and USBC National Barista and Cup Tasters Competitions.

Anne returned to Melbourne in 2012 for a stint with the team at Proud Mary Coffee and to act as Head Judge for the 2013 Golden Bean Coffee Roaster Competition.  In late 2013 Anne joined specialty coffee roasters Axil Coffee putting her knowledge, expertise and passion into play as their head roaster.