About
Hi, I'm Nicole.
I'm a barista, roaster, trainer, and competitor in the specialty coffee industry, currently based in Berlin, Germany. My journey began in Görlitz, where an early fascination with coffee led me to pursue a career that intertwines my passions for gastronomy and craftsmanship.
After training as a chef and working at Michelin Star venues in Berlin, I transitioned back to the coffee world, working with specialty coffee roaster Röststätte for a number of years. Here, I wore multiple hats: head barista, roaster, equipment sales specialist, and international representative for coffee equipment and machinery companies. After seven years with Röststätte, I moved to Australia for one year to work with coffee roaster ONA Coffee, before returning to Germany.
In recent years, my work in coffee has branched out to technology. I first worked with espresso machine company Rancilio Specialty and established their Berlin showroom, before transitioning to my current role with Next Level Coffee, based in Konstanz. In this position, I work in training, product development and brand representation as we create a revolutionary, AI-driven way to create incredible coffee in your home.
Coffee Sommelier
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While the title of “coffee sommelier” doesn’t officially exist, my work revolves around coffee in much the same way a wine sommelier works with wine. I analyse flavour profiles, experiment with brewing techniques, and pair coffee with different sensory experiences to bring out its full potential. Whether in competitions, high-end hospitality venues, or home brewing setups, I approach coffee with the same precision, curiosity, and passion as a sommelier does with wine.
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My goal is to translate coffee’s complexity into something accessible and enjoyable for everyone. I work with cafés, roasteries, and baristas to refine their coffee programmes, develop innovative drink concepts, and elevate service quality. I also train professionals and home brewers to better understand extraction, sensory balance, and the impact of processing and roasting on flavour.
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At its core, my work as a “coffee sommelier” is about crafting memorable coffee experiences – whether through a competition routine, a signature beverage, or a perfectly brewed cup.
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Competitions
Coffee competitions represent the pinnacle of innovation, skill and expertise in the world of specialty coffee. The world's most renowned competitions – the World Coffee Championships – bring together the best coffee professionals in the world each year, many of whom I am lucky enough to call colleagues and friends.
Over the years, I've had the privilege of competing in various coffee championships, achieving accolades in competitions both in Germany and across the world:
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1st place – German Brewers Cup 2022
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1st place – German Brewers Cup 2021
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7th place – World Brewers Cup 2021 (Milan)
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Rolling Pin Barista of the Year 2021
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1st place – German Coffee in Good Spirits Championship 2019
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5th place – World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship 2019 (Berlin)
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1st place – German Barista Championship 2018
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2nd place – German Latte Art Championship 2024
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2nd place – German Cup Tasters Championship 2022
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2nd place – German Barista Championship 2016
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I've also had the honour of assisting and coaching a number of competitors in coffee competitions, helping them achieve their own success on stage:
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Coach – Ukraine World Barista Championships 2023 (Semi-Finalist)
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Coach – Ukrainian Brewers Cup (1st place) 2023
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Coach – German Brewers Cup (1st place) 2023
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Coach – Ukraine World Coffee in Good Spirits Championships 2022 (2nd place)
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Coach – Germany World Cezve Ibrik Championships (3rd Place) 2019
Beyond the bar, I enjoy crafting coffee-based cocktails and sharing my knowledge through training sessions. I'm also the host of the podcast 'She's the Barista,' where I engage with coffee professionals worldwide to discuss their careers and the role of women in the coffee industry.
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If you're interested in training, cocktails, discussions about women in coffee, events, competitions, or simply chatting about coffee, please get in touch!
