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Coffee

Jeeves De Veyra

<p>Coffee lovers have two exciting opportunities to level up their craft this December, as global coffee figures Scott Rao and Michael Harris Conlins bring their expertise to Manila.</p><p>Whether you’re a seasoned roaster, an aspiring barista, or a coffee enthusiast, these rare sessions promise hands-on insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and tastings that highlight the artistry and precision behind world-class coffee.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Scott Rao</strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764661384911Scott Rao.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Scott Rao</span></span></span></div><p>With a coffee career that spans 25 years across the United States, New Zealand, and Canad, Rao, a highly influential figure in the specialty coffee industry for his expertise in brewing and roasting techniques, as well as his contributions as an author and consultant, will be in Manila to hold an Advanced Roasting Seminar. </p><p>This coffee personality is a well-respected author and his &quot;Professional Barista’s Handbook,&quot; &quot;Everything but Espresso,&quot; and &quot;The Coffee Roaster’s Companion&quot; are considered essential reading for professionals worldwide emphasizing systematic approaches to roasting brewing, and practical application of precision in coffee preparation. </p><p>This led to his being a full-time consultant having contributed to the design of next-generation coffee equipment. His own coffee company, Prodigal Coffee (@getprodigalcoffee), out of Boulder, Colorado, specializes in light roasted fruit forward coffee that is shipped around the world.</p><p>Rao was last in Manila back in 2016. For this trip, he has 90% new and updated information, covering roasting and cupping strategies and protocols, air and drum roaster management, and quality control methods.</p><p>While these may seem to be advanced topics, Rao is known to tailor his seminar to the current audience. Veteran roasters will benefit from this rare session. New coffee afficionados will get a jump-start in their coffee journey by getting first-hand insights from Rao, as well as networking opportunities with seasoned professionals in the local coffee scene.</p><p>Scott Rao’s Manila Advanced Roasting Seminar will be held at The Giving Café in A. Mabini San Juan on December 4, 2025 from 2- 5 p.m. and is priced at US$250 per slot. For more information and reservations, click <a href="https://www.scottrao.com/products/manila-class">here</a>. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Michael Harris Conlins</strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764661345891harris - cover.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Michael Harris Conlins. <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></span></span></span></div><p>Michael Harris Conlins gives a taste of his recent World Barista Championship (WBC) experience and his world-class espresso with upcoming sessions of “A Coffee Omakase with Michael Harris: The World Barista Championship Experience.”</p><p>Conlins has represented the Philippines multiple times in the WBC. The first time back in 2018 in Boston, and the most recent 2025 competition in Milan, Italy.</p><p>Through an exclusive one-and-a-half-hour conversation over coffee, Conlins will recount the ups and downs of competing in coffee starting from his beginnings as a curious onlooker back in 2017, getting bitten by the competition bug, and learnings from his WBC semi-final finishes.</p><p>Besides the stories, session participants can look forward to tasting his signature drink, his latte made with concentrated milk made with a proprietary process, and the espresso Conlins prepared for the competition.</p><p>Conlins aimed to bring Philippine coffee to the world stage with his stint in Milan. While the other baristas in the WBC mostly used Arabica and Geshas from South America and Africa, he opted to use a special blend of Liberica from Laguna with a bit of rare Eugenioides beans from Colombia. This espresso, which was rich, sweet with notes of strawberry jam and milk chocolate, got the highest score during the first round among 54 competitors.</p><p>Conlinsn will also do a deep dive on the Better Vessel, his patented invention used in the recent competition. This gadget helps baristas make sweeter cups of espresso by removing crema and bitterness and harsh notes it brings to coffee.  The highlight of the session will be the espresso Conlins will serve espresso pulled using competition blend with the Better Vessel.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/food-travel/2025/11/14/this-filipino-invention-aims-to-take-espresso-to-the-next-level-1800">This Filipino invention aims to take espresso to the next level</a></div><p>Upcoming sessions of “A Coffee Omakase with Michael Harris: The World Barista Championship Experience” will be held at Commune Café in Poblacion, Makati on Saturday, December 6, and at Aegyo Café in Scout Rallos, Quezon City on Thursday, December 11. Each slot is priced at P3,500. Slots are very limited. Click <a href="https://forms.gle/YdjadG2L7nyeFhsBA">here </a>to register. </p><p>Conlins and his team can also hold these sessions for coffee shops or for private groups, please message @henryandsonsph on Instagram or Facebook for details and pricing.</p>

<p>Whether you’re a seasoned roaster, an aspiring barista, or a coffee enthusiast, these rare sessions promise hands-on insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and tastings that highlight the artistry and precision behind world-class coffee.</p>

Whether you’re a seasoned roaster, an aspiring barista, or a coffee enthusiast, these rare sessions promise hands-on insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and tastings that highlight the artistry and precision behind world-class coffee.

2 coffee experiences you can’t miss this December

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2 coffee experiences you can’t miss this December

Jeeves De Veyra

Published December 02, 2025 03:58 PM PHT

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coffee

Scott Rao

Michael Harris Conlins

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