United States
Shelby Williamson
Huckleberry Roasters

Please tell us a little about yourself:

I started roasting coffee about 5 years ago and haven’t looked back. I started my career with a general interest in coffee and fell head-first into that rabbit hole. I am lucky to roast for the lovely Huckleberry Roasters in Denver, CO where I have been encouraged and supported to challenge myself and gain as much knowledge in my field as I can. When I am not roasting and slurping, I can be found on a trail somewhere in the Rockies, at a yoga class or on my couch with a good book.

Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:

2018 Roasting Rodeo – 1st
2018 USRC Qualifier (Denver) – 2nd
2019 USRC (Kansas City) – 1st

What are you excited to do while you are in Taipei?:

While I am excited for the competition and meeting other roasters around the world, I have to say that I am most excited to eat incredible food and take a stroll on some of those suspension bridges.

Which coffee-producing country most interests or excites you?:

I am not necessarily only excited about a single country. On average, I am a huge fan of Ethiopian coffees, but there are plenty of gems all around the world. If the coffee is good and the people are good, I am excited.

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

I love going to shows around Denver as well reading, writing, yoga, hiking. Oh, and I love a good roll on the Craps tables.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

I hope in 5 years that I have begun to venture into my dream of owning a coffee shop/book shop. Books are my other passion–on level with coffee– and what’s better than surrounding yourself with everything you love.

Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the competition?:

I want to thank Huckleberry for supporting me through this entire competition run, Kevin Nealon (our green buyer and Director of Coffee) for telling me to compete in the first place, Joe Morocco for his theory lessons, Daniel Mendoza for his coaching, Trevor Curry for his patience and so many more who were involved in making this possible.

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