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1How does the competition system actually work? It is about institutions.
Using ideas from institutional economics, I discuss why coffee competitions create both opportunities and problems. Who pays? Who benefits? How do certifications, judging systems and reputation shape the specialty coffee industry?
Most importantly, I want to thank Aga Rojewska. She inspired me to dream about competitions, and she also inspired me to think more deeply about the system behind the stage.
Timeline
Why Coffee Hero inspired me and why I want to thank Aga.
Competition looks like freedom—but it is also expensive.
The hidden costs of competing.
Coffee competitions as institutions, not just competitions.
How WCC and SCA are connected.
Institutional economics: rules of the game.
Competition as a signalling system.
Judges are also part of the game.
Professional work with a volunteer model.
What is the Judge Skills Program (JSP)?
What does a WCC Representative (Rep) do?
Why governance matters.
Conflict of interest is more than a written policy.
Repeated games and small professional networks.
Volunteer labour and moral hazard.
Why people still join competitions.
Coffee competitions and accounting standards: speaking the same language.
Brewers Cup as both education and marketing.
Open Service vs Compulsory Service.
What does "Coffee Ambassador" really mean?
Big words like sustainability and inclusivity.
The political economy of coffee competitions.
Why few people openly question the system.
Why I still love coffee competitions.
Why this became my first English episode.
Final thoughts.
Topics
Coffee Hero
Aga Rojewska
Sasha Sestic
World Coffee Championships (WCC)
Specialty Coffee Association (SCA)
Brewers Cup
World Barista Championship
Judge Skills Program (JSP)
WCC Certified Judge
WCC Representative (Rep)
Coffee Value Assessment (CVA)
Institutional Economics
Signalling
Moral Hazard
Repeated Games
Conflict of Interest
Volunteer Labour
Coffee Ambassador
