Alexander Rymarovych | Ukrainian Comandante Champion

What is your job and where do you live and work?

I work as a barista in the coffeehouse, which is located in Kyiv.

What does coffee mean to you?

It is a difficult question to answer... But if to summarize… I think it is a kind of ‘bridge’ between different countries and nationalities.

What do you love about Comandante grinders, and how did you hear about them?

Many baristas spend sleepless nights thinking about the Comandante Grinder. You know, when the dream becomes a reality and the device finally lands in your hands, all you want to do is grind, grind and one more time grind. When beautiful design and detailed engineering come together, it’s explosive. The result is always incredible. Before my dream came true, I’d used coffee grinder with burrs made of ceramic and now I’m the owner of the Comandante Grinder!

Why did you apply for the Comandante Grind & Brew Cup?

I wanted to test myself, become better and, of course, meet new people. The most interesting thing was that I didn’t expect to go further than semi-final. The main goal was to do my best to make the sweetest cup I’ve ever made. One cup, two cups, three…and you are the finalist! It was unbelievable.

What do you love about making coffee?

I really like melting into the process of making coffee: high self-concentration, minimum of unnecessary thoughts, only coffee and you. And I really like the flavor of freshly ground coffee.

What are your future goals?

I want to study and absorb as much information as I can, develop myself as a barista and, eventually, become a pro at what I do.

How was the Comandante Grind & Brew Cup for you?

For me it’s a turning point in life. I realized that I’m worth something. Those feelings that I experienced on the day of the championship are difficult to describe. It was my first championship. For me it was something incredible.

What is your advice for future competitors?

Do not doubt yourself. We’ll never know how great our potential is until we try.