Our Team
In memory of Paul Allen, Roastmaster
April 20, 1961 – February 14, 2024
Known to many as THE Paul Allen. For over 24 years, you connected people throughout our community to the world of coffee. The joy you shared through roasting, brewing and educating will forever be felt within our hearts and across the globe. We will miss your whistles echoing in the warehouse, your moments of glee when a shot is pulled just right, your engaging teaching and educational tactics, but above all, we will miss your daily smile and individual friendship. You’ve marked us with memories of joy and we are forever grateful.
With honor and gratitude, we raise our flat white cups in memory of you. Cheers, Mate!
Positions held at Caravan Coffee (1999-2024):
- Production Coffee Roaster
- Quality Control of Coffee
- Director of Education
- Green Coffee Grader and Buyer
- Lead for Caravan Public Roastery Tours and Tasting
Known at Caravan by his peers:
- Great Sense of Humor
- Charming Kiwi accent
- Excellence in Coffee
- Passionate Educator
Certifications:
- Organic Handling Certificate (USDA): 2002
- Green Coffee Grading Certified Roaster’s Guild Member: 2005
- Certified World Coffee Judge (SCA): 2008
- Quality Grader (Quality Institute/SCA): 2008
- Art of Creating Blends (Boot Coffee):2010
- Level 1 Roasters Guild (SCA): 2012
- Level 2 Roasters Guild (SCA): 2012
- Certified Lead Instructor (SCA): 2012
- Heat Transfer Class Certificate(SCA): 2012
- Roaster Plant Class Certificate (SCA): 2012
- Coffee Science Certificate Level 1: 2014
- Sensory Summit: 2018, 2020
- Coffee Sensorium Certificate: 2022
Awards/Published work:
- “Day of a Roaster” published interview by Specialty Coffee Review: 2005
- “Peaberry” published by Roast Magazine: 2006
- “Q Graders” article in LA Times: 2008
- Gold Award for Technical Article, “Crema”, Roast Magazine: 2009
- “Unbottling the Aromas of Coffee”, published by Roast Magazine, 2011
- Top Farming Photo: Roast Magazine: 2015
- Silver Award for Caravan Coffee, Golden Bean: 2016
Judge:
- International Cupping Team Judge (1 of 9) in Brazil: 2004
- Dancing Flames (home coffee roasters) Cupping Team Judge: 2009
- Caravan Barista Showdown: 2013, 2014, 2015
- Golden Bean Official Judge: 2017, 2019
