Giorgio Milos

MASTER BARISTA, ILLY CAFFÈ NORTH AMERICA

Becoming an award-winning barista is a title that requires years of experience, education and passion and is a feat that has been accomplished by Giorgio Milos, illy’s Master Barista and North American Barista in Residence. Set apart from the coffee shop baristas who work to brew the perfect espresso shot and create delicate latte art, Milos ventured beyond the glass to understand the biology and chemistry of the coffee bean in an effort to create a beverage that is truly delicious. As a result, he holds multiple titles that include Italian Barista Champion, top World Barista Championship contender, Specialty Coffee Association certified Lead Instructor and Master Barista.

Born and raised in northern Italy’s port city of Trieste, the city is where coffee was first introduced to Europe centuries ago and is home of illy’s headquarters. Milos’ mother also spent her entire career at illy as a quality control specialist, so it’s no wonder that Milos was destined for a career in the coffee industry.

As the company’s North American Barista in Residence, Milos travels to top restaurants, hotels and conferences throughout the United States and Canada educating and training food and beverage professionals, illy staff and coffee enthusiasts in basic techniques of espresso to creating original beverages that eventually become house specialties at accounts including JW Marriott, United Airlines, The Four Seasons (NYC),and Café Greco (San Francisco). Milos is also a full faculty member of illy’s Universitá del Caffè, the international coffee education program widely acknowledged as the most comprehensive program in the industry. Students come from around the world and range from farmers to executives from top hospitality companies and learn from him as he teaches classes on the history of coffee, agronomy, chemistry, processing and production and an intensive hands-on coffee preparation course (Coffee Expert).

When he’s not teaching industry professionals, Milos shares and performs his skills during his illy Master Barista Series classes for coffee enthusiasts at gourmet retailers such as Sur La Table, William Sonoma and various cafes. He frequently makes appearances at major events including the New York Food & Wine Festival in New York City and Wine Spectator Taste events and many others.

Milos presents his ideas and tips on his blog Masterbarista.tumblr and is a sought after coffee expert who has been profiled and interviewed in numerous publications including The Wall Street Journal, The Miami Herald, Cigar Aficionado, Salon.com and is a former contributing columnist for Coffee Talk Magazine.