At 28, Barbora Mařáková stands out in Europe's coffee world. Hailing from the Czech Republic and now based in Zurich, she serves as a barista at MAME on Josefstrasse, a cafe that ignited Switzerland's specialty coffee trend. Her philosophy at the bar is simple: to make every coffee interaction unique, whether through engaging dialogue, a well-timed jest, or a perfectly brewed cup that captures guests' full attention. Her competitive drive has propelled Barbora to significant success, securing two National Titles and representing the Czech Republic in both the World Brewers Cup and Latte Art Championship across Jakarta and Geneva. These demanding months instilled in her resilience, adaptability, and the importance of teamwork, principles she applies to both competitions and her daily responsibilities at the cafe.
Beyond the competitive arena, Barbora brings an equal level of dedication to her shifts at MAME. From crafting morning espressos to conducting evening clean-ups, she approaches each task with the meticulousness of an artisan. For Barbora, specialty coffee transcends mere prestige; it is about being present, fostering curiosity, and sparking engaging conversations across the counter. Her early memories of coffee trace back to a teenage shooting competition, where she attempted to prepare instant coffee, humorously recalling advice to pour hot water from a height to create foam.
Barbora initially pursued a career in coffee as a means to save money for an overseas adventure, transitioning from studying to become a physical education and English teacher. What began as a practical decision evolved into a deep-seated passion, driven by the strong sense of community, the intricate craft, the dynamic exchange of energy with customers, and the inherent beauty of coffee itself. She describes MAME on Josefstrasse, the original location of the now-thriving chain since 2016, as a cozy establishment that prioritizes genuine coffee experiences over ostentation. Despite her championship titles, Barbora views herself as 'just a regular barista,' embracing all duties, including cleaning. Her aspiration for customers is to fully immerse themselves in their coffee experience, often using witty remarks to encourage them to appreciate the journey of the coffee in their cup.
Her favorite part of the day is the evening cleaning ritual, which she finds relaxing as it involves preparing for the next day and ensuring a smooth start for her colleagues. Barbora maintains her motivation and skill development through a supportive environment, her innate curiosity, and the opportunity to experiment with new ideas at MAME. She emphasizes the importance of 'people' as a boundless source of inspiration, her 'curious spirit' that fuels exploration, and the 'place' that enables her growth. Addressing common misconceptions about coffee, Barbora enjoys guiding customers through the nuances of different coffee types, using thoughtful questions to help them discover their preferences rather than simply serving 'normal coffee.'
Reflecting on her championship journey, Barbora expresses gratitude for her victories, which she attributes to moving to Switzerland for optimal training and the unwavering support of her team. She highlights that coffee competitions are a collective endeavor, teaching invaluable lessons in flexibility, courage, and stamina. Her experience of competing on two world stages in one year was an intense challenge. Jakarta presented a particularly chaotic and stressful environment, forcing her to navigate a notoriously congested city to avoid disqualification. Geneva, by contrast, offered a much smoother and more enjoyable experience, largely due to her decision to approach it with less stress and the emotional support of her coach and boyfriend. This intense period underscored the significance of mental resilience and teamwork in high-pressure situations.
Barbora's preparation for these demanding championships involved a meticulous timeline, balancing the Czech Brewers Cup, Czech Latte Art Championship, World Brewers Cup in Jakarta, and World Latte Art Championship in Geneva. Initially, she intended to skip the Latte Art Championship to focus on the Brewers Cup but ultimately participated and secured another national title. She prioritized her training for the Brewers Cup, dedicating extensive hours at the cafe and roastery, including delving into water science. Her experience at the World Latte Art Championship in Geneva, after Jakarta, was transformed by a lesson with a top-ranked latte artist and a renewed focus on enjoyment, proving that attitude and mental fortitude are paramount in competitive settings. She constantly reminds herself that her best is sufficient, her identity is enough, and her voice holds value, guided by the mantra 'Tutto Passo' (everything passes), to navigate inevitable comparisons and challenges.
Beyond coffee, Barbora enjoys yoga, breathwork, meditation, walking, traveling, exploring culinary delights, and listening to inspiring narratives. She looks forward to addressing future coffee challenges, particularly the impact of climate change on Arabica supply and the potential emergence of new coffee species. In quick fire questions, she expresses a preference for filter coffee and enjoys both milk and black coffee. She believes cold brew and AeroPress are underrated, and her favorite barista equipment is a temperature-controlled kettle. Interestingly, she doesn't brew coffee at home, and her favorite city for a coffee tour, outside her own, is Prague.