Michael Phillips

Who they are

Michael Phillips is a pioneer in the specialty coffee movement and is best known as the first American to win the World Barista Championship. After a highly influential tenure at Intelligentsia Coffee, he moved to Blue Bottle Coffee, where he served as the Director of Coffee Culture and remains a key architect of their global training and hospitality standards.

Philosophy

• Accessible Excellence: Believes that high-end specialty coffee should be presented without pretension.
• Service as Craft: Places a high premium on the hospitality aspect of the barista role.
• Rigorous Training: Advocates for standardized, repeatable systems in high-volume environments.
• Storytelling: Emphasizes understanding the origin and narrative of the coffee.

Notable quotes

"At the end of the day, we are in the service industry. If the customer doesn't feel welcomed, the best cup of coffee in the world doesn't matter."

Signature gear & coffee

• La Marzocco Linea PB: Often associated with the technical workflows he developed for Blue Bottle's high-traffic cafes.
• Mazzer & Mahlkönig Grinders: Utilized throughout his competitive career and professional consulting for precision dosing.

Known for

• 2010 World Barista Champion: The first competitor from the United States to take the global title, competing under the Intelligentsia banner.
• Three-Time USBC Finalist: A consistent top-tier competitor in the United States Barista Championship.
• Blue Bottle Training Program: Instrumental in scaling Blue Bottle's training culture during its rapid international expansion into markets like Japan and Korea.
• Handsome Coffee Roasters: Co-founded this influential Los Angeles roasting brand alongside Tyler Wells and Chris Owens before it was acquired by Blue Bottle.