Institute for Coffee Excellence held its grand opening last May 3, 2019 at Brgy Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City headed by Michael Harris Lim, the 2019 Philippine National Barista Champion and the first Filipino semi-finalist at the World Barista Championship in Boston, USA.
The educational institution offers world-class training standards for the specialty coffee industry and focuses on empowering the individuals that play an important part in the coffee chain who are the farmers, roasters, and baristas. The institute uses different approaches and techniques for varied learning types and developed course that uses the latest technologies, multi-sensory exercise, and practical applications.
“The transformation of a community begins with education. In the case of our coffee community, I believe we would have to start by empowering our farmers and baristas with the knowledge, values and the passion to lift themselves up and gain a sustainable living,” Harris said.
Harris also added that coffee is not a stand-alone crop, it means other cups so as Filipinos we should work on safeguarding our soil and the food and coffee security for the future generations to come.
Prior to his participation in the national and world competitions, Harris makes a vigorous effort in extending a helping hand to the coffee industry as a social entrepreneur. He supports the coffee-producing communities in Benguet through the platforms he built such as the Foundation for Sustainable Coffee Excellence (FSCE) and The Giving Café.
The Institute for Coffee Excellence is the educational arm of Henry & Sons and Manila Coffee Gear. It is also the official Philippine principal of the Global Coffee School (GCS) and also a Specialty Coffee Association premier training campus.