ABOUT ME
With over 30 years in the coffee industry, Justin Metcalf has built a career that spans from the café floor to the global stage — working across roasting, retail, education, and international coffee development.
What sets Justin apart is not just experience, but perspective.
Throughout his journey, he has remained deeply connected to every part of the coffee value chain — from farmers at origin through to the final cup — developing a practical understanding of what truly drives quality, consistency, and long-term sustainability in coffee.
Today, Justin operates at the intersection of industry, education, and innovation.
As Director of Education for the ASEAN Coffee Federation, he plays a key role in shaping how coffee is understood, evaluated, and communicated across one of the fastest-growing regions in the world. His work contributes to the development of a shared language for coffee through initiatives such as the ASEAN Coffee Appreciation Protocol (ACAP), helping bridge the gap between origin and market.
Alongside his regional work, Justin is the founder of Bodacious Coffee in Melbourne, where he continues to lead a business focused on quality, consistency, and solution-based supply to the modern hospitality industry.
His approach is grounded in a simple belief:
Coffee is more than a product — it is a system connecting people, culture, and opportunity.
This belief has guided his involvement in direct trade projects across Southeast Asia, including long-standing relationships with producers in Bali and emerging coffee regions such as Sarawak. Through these partnerships, Justin continues to advocate for greater transparency, better communication, and stronger alignment between producers and global markets.
In addition to his business and industry roles, Justin is a respected international coffee judge and speaker, regularly contributing to discussions on coffee quality, automation, education, and the future direction of the industry.
Today, his focus is on building meaningful connections across the coffee world — from farm to franchise — while helping businesses and organisations navigate an evolving and increasingly complex global landscape.
History
2000
First commenced judging at Australian Barista Championships
2002
Judge at WBC in Oslo, Norway - First Melbournian, Victorian to Judge a International Barista Competition
2004
Judge at WBC in Trieste, Italy, first time judging in a WBC Barista final. Started the first WBC Judges Accreditation Program.
2005
2005
Judge at WBC in Seattle, USA, First Victorian/Melbournian to Head Judge of the Final.
2006
Judge at WBC in Berne, Switzerland, Head Judge of the Final.
2007
Judge at WBC in Tokyo, Japan, judged the finals.
2008
Judge at WBC in Copenhagen, Denmark, Head Judge of the Final.
2010
Supervisor of the Judges at WBC in London, England.