We speak to the Chicago-based roasting skilled, who advances to compete on the World Espresso Roasting Championship in Houston in April.
BY CHRIS RYAN
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Pictures courtesy of Diego Guartan
Diego Guartan by no means anticipated to participate in espresso competitions.
In spring 2024, Diego was working at his job as head roaster at Chicago’s Huge Shoulders Espresso when he encountered Eduardo Choza, who was on the town for the U.S. Espresso Roasting Championship. Eduardo had requested Huge Shoulders co-owner Tim Coonan if he may observe on the corporate’s Stronghold S7 machine—the identical roaster used on the nationwide competitors—prematurely of the occasion.
Diego and Eduardo struck up a friendship, and after Eduardo went on to win the 2024 championship, they stayed in contact. Wishing to see extra Latinos participate in espresso competitions, Eduardo persistently urged Diego to attempt the roasting occasion. Whereas Diego initially rebuffed the requests, he finally softened and registered for the qualifying occasion final fall.
The remaining, as they are saying is historical past: Diego completed fifth on the qualifying occasion, then swept by the U.S. Espresso Roasting Championship, which passed off Feb. 6-9 in Houston, to develop into the 2025 U.S. Espresso Roasting Champion. He now advances to the World Espresso Roasting Championship, which is able to happen April 25-27 in Houston in the course of the Specialty Espresso Expo.
We talked to Diego about deciding to enter the competitors, his whirlwind expertise, and extra.
This interview has been edited for size and readability.
Barista Journal: I perceive this was your first 12 months competing. Why did you resolve to do it?
Diego Guartan: When Eduardo was competing final 12 months on the SCA Expo in Chicago, he was training right here at Huge Shoulders. I used to be asking him a variety of questions in regards to the competitors, and sooner or later he mentioned to me, “Why don’t you compete?” And at first I mentioned, “You’re loopy, I don’t assume I can do it.” However he saved speaking to me about it. Once they opened registration for the qualifiers in Houston, Eduardo referred to as me and mentioned, “Please join.” He saved calling me, and finally I mentioned, “OK, let’s do it.” I referred to as my daughter, and she or he logged in and signed me up. And I advised Eduardo, “I would like you to be my coach,” and he accepted.
You positioned fifth on the qualifier in November 2024. How was the qualifier for you, and the way did you then put together for the nationals?
It was my first time competing, and I made a variety of errors, like with the roasting plan. I went again to Chicago earlier than the competitors was over. I watched the livestream, and once they acquired to quantity 5 and mentioned “Diego Guartan,” I mentioned, “Wow, I made it to the nationals!”
The day after the qualifier, I got here to my boss at Huge Shoulders and advised him I made the nationals and I wanted to begin training extra. I mentioned, “I’m going to roast daily on the Stronghold,” and he mentioned, “OK, do what it’s worthwhile to do.” I simply roasted espresso on the Stronghold S7 and did cuppings each single day. Then we went to nationals, and I don’t know if I’m fortunate, however I received.
What was the expertise of successful like for you?
Once they mentioned they had been going to name the highest three rivals, they referred to as Kevin (Seehousz) at third place and Joel (Lohner) at second place. After which they mentioned, “2025 U.S. champion,” and so they referred to as my identify. I misplaced my legs … I wasn’t even leaping, I used to be simply sitting for perhaps 5, 10 seconds. And so they mentioned, “Diego you received, go to the entrance!” I didn’t imagine it! First 12 months competing and win? It was a shock to me.
Are you excited for the world competitors in Houston?
I’m excited and so nervous. Some associates and different U.S. rivals say I’m going to do good as a result of I’ve roasted a variety of blends for the corporate, and roasting blends is a giant a part of the competitors. I’m doing the identical training I did for the nationals, and I hope I do properly on the worlds.
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