Alexandru Diaconescu | Romania Comandante Champion

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

I live in Bucharest, and I work as a barista at Zissou Coffee Shop.

What does coffee mean to you and what do you love about it?

For me, coffee is about passion, from talking with the people I am meeting at the coffee shop to making coffee as an art. Moreover, I love the taste diverse taste that I can get from each type of coffee, but also the complexity of drawings that I can create due to my latte art skill. I can’t see myself doing anything else.

What is your experience with Comandante grinders and what do you like about them?

I did not have one until now and I am happy that I have won one now! I’ve participated in an AeroPress competition, where I’ve had the chance to use a Comandante grinder. I love the flexibility that a manual grinder has, you can go anywhere and if you have a Comandante grinder with you, you can even make yourself an amazing cup of coffee on the top of a mountain, which is awesome!

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

I love meeting people who have different backgrounds in competitions. I found it to be a true challenge that all participants had to use the same coffee and water, since this highlights the best recipe for V60 and AeroPress.

How was the competition for you?

I have prepared for this competition by using my friend’s Comandante grinder with a “Red clix”, in his apartment. Throughout the competition, I have readjusted the recipe on this grinder, but without this attachment. The competition was filled with constructive emotions. I hadn’t even thought that I would reach the finals and that I would eventually win. My goal was to test the coffee recipe that I had come up with.

What are your future goals?

I will continue taking part in as many competitions as possible, for latte art and filter coffee. Just like any other passionate individual, I would love to open my own coffee shop where I will work as well behind the bar.

What is your advice for future competitors?

For the future competitors, I would like to tell them to continue being passionate and to keep their goals in mind, to participate in as many competitions as possible, and to not be affected by the results, because you can have a new and better experience that the ones you gain in a coffee shop. Firstly, through competition, you grow as an individual since you accumulate experience and get rid of emotions. Secondly, you grow as a barista, because just through this are you able to realize what others are doing differently, to reach the top positions in a competition.