The Truth About Being a Barista That No One Talks About: Michalis Dimitrakopoulos Inspires 787 Coffee
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It’s easy to romanticize the life of a barista—perfect latte art, the aroma of freshly ground coffee, and the steady hum of espresso machines. But the truth about being a barista that no one talks about is that it goes far beyond pouring the perfect cup. At our recent end-of-year summit in New York, 787 Coffee welcomed one of the world’s finest and most passionate baristas, Michalis Dimitrakopoulos—famed for his stellar performance at the World Barista Championship.
His message? Success isn’t measured by trophies or medals, but by the legacy you leave behind. By focusing on shared visions, genuine connections, and fostering the next generation of coffee professionals, we can elevate every cup of coffee—and boost both online coffee sales and in-store traffic at 787 Coffee. Below, we share the highlights of his inspiring talk and how it can help you find—and deliver—true value in every single cup.
1. More Than Medals: Building a Lasting Impact
“Competition is not only about going for a trophy. It’s about leaving something behind for the next generation—new ideas they can work with.”
– Michalis Dimitrakopoulos
While Michalis has won global recognition, he sees those accolades as stepping stones to something far bigger: inspiringand innovating within the specialty coffee world. For 787 Coffee, that means continuously refining our techniques and approaches—from sourcing the finest Puerto Rican coffee beans to perfecting brewing methods—to ensure every sip is memorable.
How This Helps Our Customers: When we prioritize impact over awards, we deliver top-quality coffee consistently. That genuine commitment resonates with people looking for specialty coffee they can trust, whether they buy coffee online at 787coffee.com or walk into one of our brick-and-mortar coffee shops.
2. Coffee as a Total Sensory Experience
“For me, the word ‘art’ is about the sensory experience that awakens our eyes, ears, nose, and taste buds.”
Latte art may be the star that catches everyone’s attention, but Michalis believes a cup of coffee appeals to all the senses. At 787 Coffee, we echo that passion: every step—from selecting beans on our farm in Puerto Rico to the final pour—aims to delight our customers.
Boost Your Own Experience: Notice the details next time you visit our New York coffee shops—the gentle hiss of steaming milk, the aroma of freshly ground beans, and the beauty of latte art. These small yet significant moments set the stage for a truly memorable experience.
3. Connecting First, Selling Later
“Before you ask customers for money, ask them about their day. Make them feel unique.”
In a fast-paced world, a little warmth can make all the difference. Whether you’re shopping for coffee online or chatting with a barista in-store, genuine connection forms the backbone of customer loyalty. At 787 Coffee, we train our teams to be welcoming from the first hello, creating a positive atmosphere that naturally leads to better engagement and, ultimately, increased sales.
Practical Takeaway: We don’t just serve coffee; we serve comfort. A warm smile, a friendly question—these small gestures strengthen the bond between barista and customer, ensuring you’ll want to return time and again.
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4. Sharing the Dream with Your Team
“If your team believes in the same dream, you can accomplish anything together.”
One of Michalis Dimitrakopoulos’s key insights is the power of uniting people under one vision. Here at 787 Coffee, our vision is simple: to bring the best of Puerto Rico’s coffee culture to the world. We encourage every barista, roaster, and manager to carry that flame, igniting a spirit of collaboration and passion that customers immediately sense.
Why It Matters: When the entire team feels ownership of the mission, service quality soars. The result? Enhanced reviews, repeat customers, and an ever-growing fan base—both online and offline.
5. Mentoring the Next Generation of Coffee Experts
“If you can pass on these values to the new generation, you create a team full of ideas, passion, and love for what they do.”
Training young baristas isn’t just about teaching them how to pull a perfect shot of espresso—it’s about instilling a sense of pride, respect, and creativity. By doing so, 787 Coffee ensures the future of our company (and the industry) remains bright and innovative. This dedication to mentorship aligns with our commitment to continually improving our online coffee offerings and our in-store experiences.
Long-Term Benefits: A well-trained, passionate staff leads to better customer experiences—critical for word-of-mouth promotion. As we nurture fresh talent, our collective ability to serve the perfect brew—and invite more people into our coffee family—only grows stronger.
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How to Experience the 787 Coffee Difference
Visit Us in Person
Discover how we transform simple coffee moments into unforgettable experiences at our 787 Coffee shops in New York, Puerto Rico and El Paso, Texas. Get a taste of our signature Coffees - Our supremo Puerto Rican SPecialty coffee, also used for our exclusive rum infused coffee beans. Also try our coffees from the Americas - Our Mexican specialty coffee is currently being used for our mezcal, tequila and whiskey infusions and colombian specialty coffee for our classic coldbrew. Grown by farmers that share our own values for sustainability and eco- friendly practices.
Order Coffee Online
Can’t make it to our brick-and-mortar locations? Head to 787coffee.com to buy coffee beans online and bring the flavor of Puerto Rico right to your kitchen. From single-origin gems to our community-favorite blends, our online store offers something for every coffee enthusiast.
Stay Connected
Follow us on social media for brewing tips, product launches, and behind-the-scenes stories from our farms in Puerto Rico and cafés in New York. Use #787Coffee to share your own coffee adventures—you might just inspire someone else to try their first 787 Coffee latte or to purchase our beans online.
Carrying Michalis Dimitrakopoulos’s Vision Forward
In an industry that can sometimes focus too heavily on trophies and accolades, Michalis Dimitrakopoulos reminds us that the heart of coffee lies in human connection, artistic expression, and passing on passion to future generations.
We are looking forward to many more visits from Michalis to bring a new perspective a new vision to the way do things at 787 Coffee - to the value and the energy our co-workers will get from working with a TOP WORLD BARISTA and JUDGE.
At 787 Coffee, we’re committed to these same ideals—whether we’re perfecting our latte art in-store or offering responsibly sourced coffee beans online. If you’re ready to taste our commitment to quality, we invite you to visit our cozy cafes or shop at 787coffee.com.
Together, let’s redefine the meaning of coffee success—one conversation, one cup, and one shared dream at a time.
Stay caffeinated! Let’s do this!