This Kannadiga brews State's flavourto the world

Called the ‘Coffee Evangelist’ at Café Coffee Day, Daniel’s story truly talks of how determination and hard work pays. This ace coffee brew master who bagged the ‘India Barista Championship (IBC)’ consecutively in 2008 and 2009 has represented the country in the ‘World Barista Championship (WBC)’.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Felix remembers his humble beginning at CCD after his Hotel Management studies. “I learnt about coffee at my job and my passion for it made me try new innovations and eventually lead me to participate in competitions,” he said.

The only Kannadiga to represent the country twice in the championship, Felix says that he was asked to prepare 12 coffees in 15 minutes at WBC. “I prepared 4 Espresso’s, 4 Cappuccino’s and 4 exclusive coffees at the WBC competition in Copenhagen. I had brewed coffee with Jaggery and cinnamon as one of my exclusive coffees,” he said and added that the coffee was later featured in the menu at CCD square at Bangalore.

Winning the IBC again, Felix participated in WBC held at Atlanta in 2009. “This time my exclusive coffee had Kulfi instead of ice cream with a hint of mint and spicy chutney. As I was trying to represent Indian flavour on world platform, I used ‘Chakkuli’ as the coffee stirrer and made the judges take a bite before sipping the coffee,” he says.

Felix competed with ace brewers from 64 countries. Though Felix did not win the WBC, he hopes to win it some day. Today Felix is the Food and Beverage Manager at CCD. He is also a judge to various coffee brewing competitions held in India. “Only once India had won a silver medal for the coffee in 2002 and today it is featured as ‘Kappi Nirvana’ in CCD menu,” he informs.

“My mum makes my coffee at home. I love my traditional coffee though I have taught her to use the modern coffee brewing techniques. I also like to have café mocha with a hint of chocolate,” smiles Felix.

“Every time I brew a cup of coffee, I learn something from it. Though you make coffee with your hand, you pour it from your heart,” he concludes.