Our Story
Established in Nairobi, Kenya, in January 2020, the East African School of Coffee (EASC) had no idea of the challenges the year would bring. Within weeks, the world stopped — no students, no visitors, no cupping sessions, no fieldwork. Yet the school chose to survive and fulfill a promise made to a dear friend, Martin Shabaya: to build and deliver Kenya’s first training centre equipped to World Barista Championship (WBC) standards, for him and any East African barista determined to compete at the highest level.
The following year, Martin Shabaya made history, ranking fifth best barista in the world at WBC Milan 2021 — the first African finalist in the competition’s history. His protégé, Terry Maina, now EASC’s Head Barista Trainer, carried that legacy forward, proudly representing Kenya and EASC at WBC Busan 2024 and ranking 35th worldwide.
Today, EASC celebrates hundreds of graduates working across and beyond Africa, countless connections between farmers and roasters, and thousands of exceptional East African coffees cupped and shared. What began as resilience has become a lasting bridge — proving that coffee education is essential to building a stronger, fairer, and more united industry from farmer to cup.
Who We Are
We are educators, cuppers, and dreamers working to elevate coffee at its source. EASC is a platform that empowers professionals and enthusiasts through in-depth, practical coffee knowledge — uniting every segment of the industry, from farm to café, under one shared passion for excellence and growth.
Our Mission & Values
Our mission is to empower individuals through coffee education rooted in transparency, equity, and respect. We believe progress happens when knowledge is shared freely, craft is valued, and every actor in the chain is recognized as essential to coffee’s story.
Meet The Team
We are a collective of passionate coffee professionals — trainers, cuppers, and storytellers — united by one belief: Knowledge to Empower Through Coffee.
Raphael Prime
Founder & Instructor
Shaped by Coffee Mentors across six continents, Raphaël was given time, trust, and knowledge by an industry that formed him into the coffee professional he is today. In 2020, it became his turn to give back by founding The East African School of Coffee—to contribute to building a healthier coffee ecosystem where knowledge empowers people at every level of the coffee chain.
Teresia Maina
Head Barista Trainer & EASC Lab Coordinator
With eight years of experience and a strong competition record from the World Barista Championship to African and Kenyan podiums, Terry channels her passion into education, applying the same precision in espresso, roasting, and cupping to elevate professional coffee standards across East Africa.
Alex Wield
Coffee Trading & Supply Chain Consultant
Alex Wield is a seasoned coffee trader and origin manager with over 15 years of experience across East Africa, now bringing his strengths to the East African School of Coffee as a consultant. Known for building large-scale operations and supply chains from the ground up, he always keeps sustainability, capacity building, and education at the core of his work.
Magdalene Nduku
Lead Creative Consultant
With a strong background in UI/UX design and social media strategy, she brings a structured, research-led approach to storytelling—helping translate complex coffee knowledge, processes, and values into communication that resonates within the industry and beyond.
Cliff Saitoti
Videographer & Editor
Cliff is a multi-talented creative—cinematographer, editor, colorist director, who has been subliming EASC’s story into images since its inception. He believes beautiful craft deserves thoughtful storytelling, and turns coffee adventures and brands into powerful, immersive visual narratives.
Stevo Kühn
SCA Authorised trainer & Coffee consultant
Holding both South African and African Barista Champion titles, Stevo Kühn is an SCA Authorised Skills Trainer in Barista, Brewing, and Sensory Skills, and an Evolved Q Grader. With a strong background in education, he brings clarity, precision, and passion to every training environment.