A conversation with World Barista Champion Jack Simpson

About this episode

Jack Simpson, the reigning World Barista Champion, discusses his experiences and insights on sustainability in the coffee industry.

In today’s episode, we catch up with Jack Simpson of Axil Coffee Roasters in Melbourne and the reigning World Barista Champion. After taking the Australian Barista Championship title three years in a row, Jack claimed the world crown in Milan in November, 2025. In this conversation, Jack reflects on the experience of winning on the biggest coffee stage in the world, the pressure and opportunities that followed, and what comes next. We also discuss sustainability in coffee, and why, for Jack, it’s ultimately about relationships, respect and long-term support for coffee producers, to ensure fairness and economic viability across the supply chain. Credits music: "Nothing is Forever" by Georgia Mooney in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective . Tune into the 5THWAVE Playlist on Spotify for more music from the show Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest coffee news at worldcoffeeportal.com Subscribe to 5THWAVE on Instagram @5thWaveCoffee and tell us what topics you'd like to hear

People in this episode

Guest: Jack Simpson

Topics covered

• World Barista Championship
• sustainability in coffee
• relationships in coffee
• coffee producers
• economic viability
• coffee industry

Keywords

• Jack Simpson
• World Barista Champion
• Axil Coffee Roasters
• sustainability
• coffee producers
• Australian Barista Championship
• coffee industry

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Axil Coffee Roasters, The Coffee Music Project, SEB Collective, worldcoffeeportal.com

Books & works: Nothing is Forever

Places: Melbourne

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