Norway
Simo Christidi
Solberg & Hansen

Please tell us a little about yourself:

I am the head roaster in Solberg & Hansen based in Oslo, Norway. I have held this position since 2009 but I have been roasting since 2004. I am the current Norwegian champion, a title I have held since 2017.

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

2012 WCR Challenge in Vienna – 1st Place
2017 WCRC in Guangzhou – 8th Place
2018 WCRC in Rimini – 6th Place
Nordic Roaster competitions
National cupping competitions

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

I am looking forward to meet a bunch of good friends from Taiwan, enjoy being there and hopefully do a good presentation during the championship.

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

Taste-wise there is nothing out there that can be compared to a great Kenyan Coffee. I guess I am in love with coffee from Kenya.

What are your interests outside of coffee?:

Beside my family and my kids I play basketball and football, and I love to spend my holidays in Greece.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?:

Definitely still in the coffee industry.

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

My wife and my parents in-law for being so patient with me and taking care of my kids while I am roasting, cupping, travelling, training, and spending time with all this preparations.

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