Bengaluru girl bags a prestigious award

Gitu Mohnani is more than just your average coffee lover. She's a devout enthusiast and is completely enamoured by the craft. She recently bagged the 'National Barista Championship' award and is thrilled that her experiments with coffee have finally paid off. In an interview with Metrolife, Gitu spills the beans

How did you develop a love for coffee?

I got an in-depth understanding of coffee after I worked at a leading coffee chain in Delhi. I had studied hotel management and then I was recruited by them. I worked there for three and a half years. It was an invigorating experience because I learnt so much. I worked as a shift supervisor and was the store manager. I gathered a lot of experience on the job.

What according to you is most striking about coffee?

There were two striking features that drew me towards coffee. One, was the effort farmers put into harvesting these beans and the amount of hard work that goes into it. The second, that really impacted me, was how a small bean has the power to uplift someone's day or mood.

Who is your inspiration to get into this line?

Howard Schultz, the executive chairman of a leading coffee chain, is the person I look up to. I admire his way of taking care of the coffee beans and how he values the art of coffee making. He was able to share his passion with the world and that is exactly what I want to do. I was lucky to meet him three times.

At what point did you realise that you wanted to work in the coffee industry?

When I had a full-time job, the company took us for a coffee origin trip to Coorg and Chikmagalur. We understood the processing and harvesting of the beans. We saw how delicately each bean is handled and saw things beyond the consumer level. Moreover, the company would regularly organise internal competitions and that is where my love for competing originated.

How is the coffee industry in India doing right now?

Since I have worked as a barista and an assistant manager, I could see the changes in consumer behaviour. India is one of the leading coffee exporters and it is great to see our country opening up to the coffee culture. Before, people would order the regular cold coffee but now we see a demand for latte, black coffee, and frappe variety. What also sets the coffee industry apart from other industries are the employment opportunities that it offers and the treatment of farmers. Since the demand for coffee is increasing, farmers are also doing well. Although, many farmers do not know the end result of their beans, but hopefully with the changes in the industry, the farmers too will be made aware.

What are you doing at the moment?

I am currently working at Third Wave Coffee Roasters, Indiranagar as a trainer.