Sergii might be new to working in coffee professionally, but he’s no stranger to the world of brews. A long-time enthusiast, he spent years restoring vintage espresso machines and sharing his journey through his Instagram page, now followed by over 55,000 coffee lovers. As Sensory and Creative Studio Manager, Sergii plays a key role across the business: running our signature coffee flights, supporting the marketing team with content creation, and assisting sales with tastings. With a creative eye and a warm, people-first approach, Sergii brings fresh energy to everything he touches.

With over 15 years of experience spanning cafe operations, roasting, training, and sales, Gordon brings a well-rounded understanding of the coffee industry. At Zest, he supports our cafe partners across New South Wales – offering tailored guidance, sharing brewing knowledge, delivering training, and making sure each venue is equipped for success.

Youthful in years, seasoned in experience – Nathaniel’s coffee journey began early and has never looked back. From their first hands-on moments behind the bar to now leading our Queensland customer program, they’ve built a reputation on skill, warmth, and a deep love for coffee. With experience across roasting, training, and relationship management, Nathaniel brings more than just sunshine to the Sunshine State.

Elad’s journey with coffee began early – starting as a barista at just 15, what began as a casual job quickly became a daily ritual and lasting passion. Since then, he’s worn many hats in the coffee world: from making coffee behind the bar to managing teams, and now, driving business development. Today, Elad leads Zest’s growth across New South Wales, making sure people not only know who we are, but also understand what we stand for – quality, community, and a genuine love for coffee.

Julijan boasts a multifaceted background in both the coffee realm and the digital space. Merging his passions for photography and videography with his coffee acumen, Julijan embodies Zest’s values: progressive, innovative, and approachable. He’s deeply driven and has a keen eye for the finer details, ensuring everything he touches turns to gold. Julijan is also a champion competitor on the Brewers Cup Stage, coming 3rd in the 2024 Australian Brewers Cup Championship.

With many years of experience as a specialty roaster, sensory judge and coffee professional, Aryan brings great talent to the team in achieving and maintaining wonderful flavour. His passion is still roasting micro-lot coffees in small batches on his Dietrich. Aryan is responsible for selecting our single origins which offer great value for money for our wholesale partners! Aryan is a qualified world judge on the coffee competition scene.

Internationally Simon is respected as a trusted voice in the coffee industry. His key role with Zest is to provide the training, mentoring and consulting that enables cafes to get the very best out of our coffee. Simon is also integral in bringing our educational events to life across Australia. Simon is a Q Grader, international competitor in Brewer’s Cup, Sensory judge, Australia Aeropress Champion 2022 (and much more). Based in Sydney but supporting the national effort to help our cafe partners succeed

With more than 28 years of experience in coffee, Leo brings a high level of skill and knowledge that underpins the exceptional flavour and consistency of Zest coffees. Batch after batch, day after day, week after week – we are grateful to have someone with such patient attention to detail behind our roasters. Sensory judge, technical barista judge, competitor – Leo lives and breathes coffee! Leo has a special care for people, the environment and for taking extra steps to help others.​

A family member and part owner of Zest, Roy is a hands-on
player in the team. As an 18 year old Roy cut his teeth roasting on a 15kg
Toper when Zest first started roasting in 2012 and he’s never looked back in
his commitment to making Zest the roaster of choice for our valued cafe
customers. Roy is directly interested in your success and the success of your
relationship with Zest.

Manny. There’s only one Manny. With a long background in
hospitality including owning a successful specialty cafe for ten years, Manny
applies a down to earth entrepreneur’s brain combined with in-depth coffee
knowledge to helping his cafe customers succeed. A friend to everyone, Manny is
always looking to help, support and please. Like the chocolate cakes on Monday
morning tea!

Back in 2009, Anton founded Zest. The little, boutique
roasting company of his dreams. Why Zest? “Zest is the spritzy part of the
lemon, energy, flavour, passion, always changing, always innovating, moving
with the next thing – that’s the DNA of Zest”. Now, with the business having
grown significantly, Anton still breathes the family enthusiasm and charm that
marks the brand.

Talking coffee passion in Australia, you can’t go past Karl
Lee. Based in Brisbane, Karl provides a high level of skill and expertise to
the team. Cup Tasters Champion Qld, National Sensory Head Judge, Q Grader, Karl
helps keep Zest at the highest levels. Karl takes coffee seriously! His
ambition is to take everyone with him on his quest for sensory excellence.

If you’ve received a bag of Zest coffee to enjoy at home,
you can be sure Junine has shepherded it through our production process with
love and care. She’s dedicated to ensuring each bag and each shipment is
consistent with the high standards we have set for ourselves here at Zest.
Because, good coffee doesn’t just happen.

Robert the rocket! Rob’s been with Zest from day dot! Now
known by hundreds of our customers Rob loyally picks and packs the products and
upholds those crucial Zest values of ‘breathing enthusiasm and friendliness’ to
all he encounters. And, on the weekend, you’ll still find Rob on the baseball
pitch (coffee is his second love). Oh, and did we mention cruise ship holidays?

Laurie understands that a cafe cannot stop operating for a
minute. And that’s why he takes organising, scheduling and arranging our
wholesale partners preventative maintenance and emergency call outs so
seriously. Not to mention he will be able to help you fix your grinder over the
phone! He accompanies his great service with his indelible grin.

Scott is overall responsible for production, logistics and
customer experience. The buck stops here. Another family member invested in the
good of our staff, suppliers and customers. Ensuring that the whole Zest
machine works in sync to provide excellent quality and service come rain, hail
or snow. And, with enough youthful energy, to heartily pursue the path of
continuous improvement.

Every business needs one. That person that doesn’t mind
paying the bills, doing bank recons and generally making sure all the essential
admin stuff gets done. Christine is a loyal slogger who works long and hard and
happily to keep all the accounts shipshape. She also carries the title of being
our longest serving crew member! – Everyone is nice to Christine especially on
Mondays (she pays the wages). Thanks Christine!

Rod first ventured into business more than 25 years ago and
hasn’t slept properly since. But that doesn’t dampen his passion or the values
that have underpinned the current business. Family values. Enthusiasm.
Continuous learning. Hungry, humble, kind. With four boys now in the business
too, we’re in it for the long haul!

Damon’s career has progressed astonishingly fast! We first
met Damon as the barista and manager of his cafe and owner of his own training
academy in Wagga Wagga. Then, he moved to Melbourne to join Zest as our trainer
and Studio manager. Now, Damon pours all his experience into serving countless
cafe partners in Victoria! Everybody loves Damon!