George Makropoulos has dedicated many years to the study of coffee through continuous education and specialized training. His favourite type of coffee is filter coffee, as he believes it encourages creativity and isn't limited by strict rules. He loves visiting coffee farms, where he can connect with coffee at its origin and the people who grow it.

George is the Coffee Capabilities Lead at Nestlé Professional and an SCA Education Coordinator, supporting Greece's coffee education community and helping promote coffee knowledge through education and training.

Coffee competitions are one of his greatest passions. As a World Coffee Championships Certified Judge, he proudly represents Greece on the international stage, judging some of the world's most prestigious coffee competitions.

Diego Martinez is a coffee enthusiast who transitioned from the corporate world to the coffee industry with the goal of showcasing the work of coffee farmers and strengthening the connection between producers and coffee professionals.

After studying Finance and Business and pursuing a Master’s Degree in Data Analytics, he began his career in the corporate sector before joining the Bayter Family at El Vergel Farm, Forest Coffee Colombia, as Relationship Manager for the Europe region. Today, he is proud to contribute to the positive change taking place across the coffee industry by supporting meaningful relationships and collaborative coffee projects.

Passionate about knowledge sharing, Diego is always eager to learn from others and exchange ideas within the coffee community.

He has served as the Head Roaster at Kudu Coffee for over a decade, where he also trained competitors, leading several to championship titles. As a seasoned Q Grader and Barista Instructor with over 12 years of experience, his achievements include being the 2013 Greek Barista Champion and a World Champion Semifinalist. Additionally, he has consulted for roasteries and coffee chains, specializing in coffee production.

With over 10 years ofexperience in specialty coffee, Dimitris is a two-time champion at the HellenicCezve Ibrik Championship and a two-time finalist at the World Cezve IbrikChampionship. He is an AST-Certified Trainer and has delivered workshops at high-profilecoffee festivals around the world.

'I am deeply moved and honored to have participated in the very first AeropressChampionship in 2016 and to get the opportunity to return 10 years later as a judge . This couldn't have been possible without the high standards oforganization and impeccable execution provided by KUDU Coffee Roasters for thisevent.'

Penny Skordaki is a graduate of Panteion University and a coffee professional specializing in green coffee sourcing and trading, quality control, and sensory analysis.
She is a certified Q Arabica Grader and Q Robusta Grader with extensive experience evaluating coffee both at origin and in Greece. Through her role at El Cafe SA, she works closely with coffee producers and trade partners to source and assess green coffee, with a strong focus on quality, traceability, and sustainability.
As an SCA Authorized Trainer (AST) and CQI Lecturer, Penny is actively involved in the education and development of coffee professionals. She also serves as a mentor for the IWCA Greece Chapter and contributes to the industry as a judge in national coffee competitions and the Cup of Excellence.
Her expertise spans the entire coffee value chain—from origin and green coffee procurement to sensory evaluation and cup quality—providing her with a comprehensive understanding of quality at every stage of coffee’s journey.

For more than 20 years, coffee has been both the foundation of his professional career and his greatest passion. Today, he serves as Coffee Expert & Capabilities Manager Greece at Lavazza, where he focuses on coffee education, developing knowledge and skills, and supporting the continuous growth of coffee professionals.

His passion for coffee—especially filter coffee—led him to compete in the SCA Brewers Cup Greece in both 2022 and 2023, reaching the finals in both editions.

He believes that knowledge gains its true value when it is shared, and that continuous learning, curiosity, and the exchange of experiences are the key ingredients for growth, both as professionals and as individuals.