The 2010 Awards for Coffee Excellence

The most prestigious honours in the coffee industry were once again presented at the SCAE's Event at Caffè Culture, in London, on June 23.

The hotly contested Awards for Coffee Excellence go to individuals, companies or groups that have been nominated by SCAE members all over the world.

SCAE members nominated individuals and organisations in three categories, while a special international panel considered these and also nominated and chose the winner of the Association's top Award, for Lifetime Achievement. (Members can make as many nominations as they like in any of the categories, and the nominees do not have to be SCAE members.)

The 2010 Awards were presented in the following categories:

Young Entrepreneur: This award is for an enthusiastic member of the coffee industry, preferably under 35 years old, who shows great drive both to persevere in his/her field, and to be successful in the business. This winner will be young, both in age and in heart, and will be realising a dream.

Inventive Communicator: This could be anyone who has made a concerted effort to communicate to others the wonderful pleasure that coffee can bring to us. All communication tools that appeal to our five senses can be used: the spoken, written or printed word, the arts such as photography and painting, or even through music and drama.

Outstanding Producer: This award is presented to a smallholder, estate, cooperative, mill or farm in origin that has worked extensively or done research into improving the production or preparation of green coffee.

Lifetime Achievement: The Test of Time. This could be an institution or person that has furthered the interests of the industry by promoting the concept of quality coffee in a statesmanlike manner. The winning person or organisation is recognised for experience and knowledge of the trade, and for focusing on the promotion of quality.

The Winners Circle 2010

SCAE Past President and former executive director Patrick Bewley in late June received the Association's highest Award, for Lifetime Achievement, as part of the Awards for Coffee Excellence presented during the SCAE Event at Caffè Culture in London.

Patrick, who ran the largest Irish coffee roasting company Bewleys for many years, was also a pioneer member of the the SCAE and led several trips to origin along with handling a number of other Association projects. (Pictured above is Patrick Bewley receiving the Award; photo by Charles Prager).

The annual Awards, nominated by SCAE members and chosen by an international panel, were presented at a special awards evening that took place at London's ancient and atmospheric Crypt of St Etheldreda's, built in the 12th century.

About a hundred guests were on hand for the Awards, which were introduced by President Nils Erichsen and sponsored by Bunn.

The Association chose Heili Politanov, of roaster/retailer Gourmet Coffee of Estonia as Young Entrepreneur for 2010.

James Hoffman, WBC Champion, well known coffee commentator and co-founder of London-based Square Mile Coffee Roasters, received the award for Inventive Communicator.

The Award for Outstanding Producer went to Lorie Obra of Rusty's Hawaiian, a highly lauded grower on her own small farm in the Ka'u region of the Big Island of Hawaii.

The evening also included recognition to retiring SCAE Board Members Dr Steffen Schwarz, Hugh Gilmartin and Joseph Smith. Membership and Chapter Development Chair Pauline Sherwood also presented the SCAE's National Coordinator of the Year award, to the Association's Swiss National Coordinator, Heinz Trachsel.

Nomination notes for the Winners of the 2010 Awards for Coffee Excellence

Previous Awards for Coffee Excellence Winners

The 2009 Awards for Coffee Excellence (presented in Cologne)

* The Young Entrepreneur Award: Filip Åkerblom (Sweden)
* The Passionate Communicator Award: Franz Grünwald (Austria)
* The Hidden Treasure Award: Rob Berghmans (Belgium)
* The Outstanding Producer Award: Ipanema Coffees (Brazil)
* The Lifetime Achievement Award: Neal Robinson, Bunn (USA)

Nomination notes for the Winners of the 2009 Awards For Coffee Excellence

The 2008 Awards for Coffee Excellence (presented in Copenhagen)

* The Young Entrepreneur Award: The Coffee Collective (Denmark)
* The Passionate Educator Award: Serif Basaran (Turkey)
* The Hidden Treasure Award: Omkafe (Italy)
* The Innovation and Design Award: Efico (Belgium)
* The Lifetime Achievement Award: Hacienda La Esmeralda (Panama)

The 2007 Awards for Coffee Excellence (presented in Antwerp)

* The Young Entrepreneur Award: John Sytmen (Turkey)
* The Coffee Teacher/Trainer Award: Sonja Grant (Iceland)
* The Coffee Technician Award: Gerard-Clement Smit, Technivorm (Netherlands)
* The Originality in Design Award: Zander Nosler and Randy Hulett, Clover (USA)
* The Sustainability Award: Daniele Giovannucci (USA)
* The Better Coffee World Award: George Howell, Terroir Coffee, (USA)

The 2006 Awards for Coffee Excellence (presented in Berne)

* The Young Entrepreneur Award: Enrico Maltoni (Italy)
* The True Sustainability Award: Susie Spindler (USA)
* The Coffee Ambassador Award: Michael Segal (UK)
* The Innovation Award: Vincenzo Sandalj (Italy)
* The Better Beans Award: Women in Coffee movement under the Coffee Quality Institute (USA)
* The Hidden Treasure Award: Coffeelab (India)

The 2005 Awards for Coffee Excellence (presented in Athens)

* The Young Entrepreneur Award: Preben Oosterhof (Norway)
* The Enthusiasm Award: Alekos Sanozidis (Greece)
* The Innovation Award: Silvio Leite (Brazil)
* The Hidden Treasure Award (tie): Monmouth Coffee (UK) and Fazenda Passegueiro (Brazil)
* The Test of Time Award: Probat-Werke (Germany)
* The Statesmanship Award: Lakshmi Venkatachalam (India)

The 2004 Awards for Coffee Excellence (presented in Rimini)

* The Endurance Award: Dr Alberto Hesse (Italy)
* The Young Entrepreneur Award: Kentaro Marayama (Japan)
* The Enthusiasm Award: Luis Norberto Pascoal (Brazil)
* The Bold Initiative Award: Walter Zwald (Switzerland)
* The Silent Achiever Award: Samuel Zenger (Switzerland)
* The Miracle Maker Award: The Brazil Specialty Coffee Association
* The Vision of Quality Award: Dr Ernesto Illy (Italy)
* The Producer Interest Award: The Alliance for Coffee Excellence and Cup of Excellence
* The True Sustainability Award: Finca Irlanda (Mexico)