Cleia Junqueira
In 2005, Cleia’s coffee passion ignited in Brazil, as she owned and operated her independent café training baristas. She partnered with the Beehive Institution Young Service, offering training to underprivileged youth and later produced an educational coffee DVD. Joining the Brazilian Association of Coffee Baristas (ACBB) in 2007, she judged barista championships and enhanced her coffee knowledge until late 2012. Cleia then coordinated at the Coffee Preparation Centre at Sindicafé-SP, earning a CQI Licensed Q-Grader Certificate in 2012 and becoming a Q-Robusta Grader in 2017.
From 2017 to 2019 Cleia served on the SCA-UAE board of directors and spent six years, as a WCE Certified Judge. As Coffee Planet’s Head of Coffee, she managed quality control and became well-versed in Middle East Coffee Industry Trends and Consumption while actively supporting the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA).
Cleia developed her passion for coffee in Brazil in 2005, when she owned and operated an independent coffee shop and began personally training a team of baristas.
Discovering her passion for barista training, Cleia partnered with a local NGO - the Beehive Institution Young Service - to host training courses for young people who could not afford to participate in professional courses of any kind. After two years of training, she also produced her own educational coffee DVD, with interest in growing the coffee culture and its training practices.
In 2007, Cleia joined the Brazilian Association of Coffee and Baristas (BACB), where she started judging baristas, coffee, and latte art championships throughout the country. A year into her involvement with the association, she became the BACB Director and was responsible for organizing group championships, lecturing baristas, and enhancing her knowledge as a quality coffee taster from 2008 to 2012.
Joining the Coffee Preparation Centre for the Union of Coffee Industries in the state of São Paulo as a coordinator, she continued her role as teacher and lecturer for baristas. During that time with the Coffee Preparation Centre, she acquired certified quality coffee tasting skills, which led her to achieve a CQI Licensed Q-Grader Certificate in 2012.
Cleia became a Q- Robusta Grader in 2017, and for 6 years she was a WCE Sensory Certified Judge.
In 2014, Cleia has moved to Dubai and had worked as Roast master and Head of Coffee for two roasteries, she was responsible for a range of hands-on tasks including the delicate process of quality control, from constantly checking the coffee on its journey from cupping through to brewing. She has become knowledgeable in the Middle East Coffee Industry Trends and Consumption throw the years. I am also an active member of the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA).
Today, Cleia is helping Coffee Business to grow successfully in the Region.
Professional Summary
In 2005, my coffee passion ignited in Brazil, as I owned and operated my independent café training baristas. I
partnered with the Beehive Institution Young Service, offering training to underprivileged youth and later produced an educational coffee DVD. Joining the Brazilian Association of Coffee Baristas (ACBB) in 2007, I judged barista championships and enhanced my coffee knowledge until late 2012. Later I coordinated at the Coffee Preparation Centre at Sindicafé-SP, earning a CQI Licensed Q-Grader Certificate in 2012 and becoming a Q-Robusta Grader in 2017.
From 2017 to 2019 I served on the SCA-UAE board of directors and spent six years, as a WCE Certified Judge. As Coffee Planet’s Head of Coffee, I managed quality control and became well-versed in Middle East Coffee Industry Trends and Consumption while actively supporting the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA).
Academic Training
• CQI Certified Q - Robusta Grader - since 2017
• WCE Sensory Certified Judge - from 2016 until 2022
• CQI Certified Q- Grader - since 2012
• Journalist by Methodist College of São Paulo - 2003
• Learning French at Alliance Française - since 2021
Complementary courses
• Barista trainer
• Classification and Tasting
• Science Roast
• Flavor Perception
• Multisensory Experience
• How to communicate Specialty Coffee to the Consumer
Work Experience
• Owner of The Coffee Connoisseur Collective FZ – LLC from August 2023
• Coffee Planet Head of coffee from October 2021 - April 2023
• Coffee Planet Roast Master from August 2015 - October 2021
• Former Board of Directors SCA- UAE 2017-2019
• Mood Espresso Roast Master from May 2014 to June 2015.
• Coordinator of Preparation of Coffee Association of Coffee Industries of São Paulo from March 2009 to February 2014.
• Director of ACBB (Brazilian Association of Coffee and Barista), for two terms 2008-2010 and 2010-2012.
• Produced the DVD"How to enjoy a good coffee for Cleia Junqueira" (only in Portuguese) in 2007.
• Voluntary Barista Training at NGO - the Beehive Institution Young Service June 2006 to December 2008.
• Owner of Capheteria from December 2005 to December 2008.
Summary of Skills
• Fluent in English and Spanish, Mother tongue Portuguese.
• Extensive experience of cupping and espresso quality assessment.
• Experience in blends creation for espresso, filter, Arabic and Turkish coffee.
• Experience in R&D and Nespresso Compatible capsules.
• Extensive experience as Coffee Championships Judge.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a diverse team and influence a large peer group.
• Extensive experience in roasting coffee in the specialty sector.
• Experience of sourcing and shipping coffee.
• Experienced in organizing and creating Coffee Championships.
• Capable of setting objectives, targets, and strategy for the department.
• Used to provide guidance, support, and development training to all roastery staff.
• Extensive experience in the Middle East Coffee Industry Trends and Consumption.