Advisory Committee

Aisling Alexander

Aisling has more than a decade of experienc in the specialty coffee sector, serving as a Coffee Quality Consultant in Galway, where her role spans nearly ten counties across the West of Ireland. She's renowned for her passion in coffee training, sustainability, and deep interest in the journey from farm to cup. Working with teams and cafés along the Wild Atlantic Way, Aisling loves witnessing the spark of enthusiasm in learners and supporting regional coffee excellence. As part of our esteemed judging panel, Aisling evaluates cafés based on quality, service, barista sklls, atmosphere, speciality offerings, and character. Her regional insight and commitment to coffee education brings real depth and balance to our assessments.

Amelia Crook

Amelia brings a unique mix of experience and passion to TBCS Ireland judging panel. Having previosly owned and managed a speciality café in Wales, she understands the challenges and rewards of running a café from the inside out. Since moving to Ireland, Amelia has worked as a barista trainer and coffee educator, before stepping int her current role as Barista Market Developer at Oatly Ireland. Her career reflects her commitment to quality, sustainability, and inclusivity within the coffee industry. Amelia believes that coffee is not only about flavour, but also ethics, creativity, and building community. She is deeply committed to the ethical values that drive speciality coffee. For her, true quality means valuing transparency at origin, respecting farmers, producers, and baristas, and ensuring sustainability is central to every cup. Beyond her expertise, Amelia has a natural ability to gather people together, building joy, connection, and stronger communities around coffee. As a judge for TBCS Ireland, Amelia brings not only her knowledge and passion but also her belief that coffee is more than a drink - it's a shared experience that deserves recognition at every level.

Conor Archbold

Conor began his coffee journey in 2017 in DBS, later applying his skills in a small Italian café in Carlow. He refined his craft at - believe or not - Starbucks, earning the tittle of Coffee Master, and founded Ireland's first university coffee society at DCU, bringing together enthusiasts of all skill levels for events and tastings. HIs passion extends beyond the café - Conor has conducted genetic coffee research, experimented with home roasting, and claimed victory at the 2024 Irish Aeropress Championship, placing in the world's top 16. Driven by a commitment to quality, ethics, and community, he believes judging is not just a role but a responsability to elevate coffee culture in Ireland.

Daniel Horbat

World Cup Taster Champion (2019) - Irish Brewers Cup Champion (2024) - Co-founder of Sumo Coffee Roasters in Dublin With over a decade immersed in coffee - from farm to cup - Daniel brings a rare blend of precision, passion, and purpose. He's spent years perfecting his palate, competing globally, and training baristas to uphold the highest standards. As co-founder at Sumo, he champions transparent sourcing and human connection. Behing every great cup, he honours the effort of producers and values community in every sip. Now, he joins TBCS Ireland jury to shine a light on cafés quietly raising the bar - wherever they are in the country.

Ger O'Donohoe

Ger has been a cornerstone of the Irish coffee scene since 1999. As a veteran barista, founder of First Draft Coffee in 2012, and AST with the SCA, he has dedicated his career to training baristas to the highest standards. His work spans national judging, hospitality recruitment, and guest editing the Independent Café Guide. Today, as Head of Coffee for Bean Inspired Coffee Roasters, Ger champions ethically sourced coffees exclusively from women-owned farms and cooperatives. Beyond coffee, he's a musician, wine enthusiast, and theatre lover - recently married, and a proud Taurus. For Ger, cafés are far more than places to drink coffee: "They connect us, offering a service that's intimate and irreplaceable."

Maja Rozwadowska

Maja is a coffee professional with a clear focus on quality, consistency and people. She currently works in quality control and has been deeply involved in training and sensory work within the industry - a rolw that combines tasting rigour with practicall coaching for baristas and teams. Her judging experience spans national and international competitions - including duties at Irish championships and other events - and she has taken on organisational and volunteer roles within the SCA Ireland chapter. That combination of in-cup sensitivity and community leadership gives Maja a balanced viewpoint: she evaluates cafés with technical rigour while recognising the human story behind every cup. As a judge for TBCS Ireland, Maja will champion cafés that put fairness, training and people first - those that deliver consistent, honest coffee and nurture the teams behind it. We're delighted to welcome her to the panel.

Renata Malyszko

Head of Coffee Quality at McCabe's Coffee and certified judge at both national and world coffee competitions, Renata brings a wealth of expertise to TBCS Ireland judging panel. With a deep respect for the work that goes into coffee - from farm to cup - Renata believes quality must be honoured at every step of the journey. She is especially passionate about brewing, recognising it as the final and crucial stage where dedication can bring out the true potential of exceptional beans. For Renata, judging is not just about recognising excellence but also about giving feedback that helps raise standards across Ireland's growing speciality coffee scene. "This is more than an award, it's a movement to raise the standards and appreciation of speciality coffee in Ireland." she says.

Valeriia Pakhomova

Valeriia Pakhomova brings over a decade of experience to the judging panel of TBCS Ireland 2025. Since beginning her coffee journey in 2013, she has worked as a barista, Head Barista, Trainer, Roaster, and Quality Control Specialist. Curretly, she is based at Coffee Laboratory Training & Consultancy, where she focuses on training baristas, developing consultancy projects, and roasting coffee under the Brew Town brand. Valeriia is also an active competitor, holding 2nd place in the AeroPress Championship, which reflects her dedication to continuous learning and excellence. With certifications from SCA and CQI, she is deeply committed to quality across every stage of the coffee chain. As a judge, Valeriia values not only the taste of coffee but also the service, atmosphere, and consistency that make a café exceptional.

William Bryan

A Q-Grader, roaster, barista trainer, and sensory instructor with nearly a decade of experience in speciality coffee. Originally trained in law, William transitioned into coffee to follow his passion for technical precision, sensory education, and raising quality standards. Over the years, he has judged national championships, mentored competitors, and trained professionals in advanced barista, brewing, and sensory skills. He also leads one of the largest online brewing training programmes for Brazilian baristas, bringing together coffee people from around the world with an inspiring mix of expertise and community spirit. With strong values rooted in ethics, respect for produces, and uncompromising quality from farm to cup, William is a voice for fairness and excellence in coffee. We're thrilled to have him on our panel of judges for The Best Coffee Shops Ireland 2025.