Hello Why do people say stuff about a guy they know very little of, Pauls skill, knowledge and experience go well beyond a lot of people I have meat in the industry and that includes roasters. Pauls coffee is far more than a name on a packet, in fact what drove him to supply a blend probably came from constant frustration of the quality of coffee around. I have found that a lot of baristas are obtaining a far more educated pallet than many roasters and as a result start learning about roasting and blending. Case and point - Paul got something like 97% in the judges sensory skills test at WBC in a test which 80% of prospective judges failed some of which are roasters. Please avoid the Tall Poppy Sindrome, he has achieved what he has achieved because of a lot of hard work researching and practicing, which has continued long after WBC 2003. If you want my opinion, which you may not. But look for someone who has skill, knowledge, experience and is willing to offer it. Approach a supplier be them a roaster or someone like Paul who works closely with a roaster cupping and blending. And start to pick their brain, find out how much they know and how much they are willing to pass on. Do your research, and find someone who is genuine about your best interests. If someone acts as if they know a lot and can offer you the world, stear clear. In my experience the people with the most skill and knowledge will say they still have a lot to learn. And then you get talking to them and you realize they know far more than most. Once you have finished searching, keep searching. Scottie
