Hi, I'm Milind Mantri, a coffee professional, national-level competitive barista, and someone who believes that a good cup of coffee is much more than just a beverage—it's an experience worth sharing.
Over the past five years, coffee has taken me on an incredible journey of learning, experimenting, competing, and connecting with people who share the same passion.
Participating and winning in coffee competitions has given me the opportunity to explore the world of specialty coffee beyond the bar. From visiting coffee farms and understanding processing methods to experimenting with roasting profiles, selecting blends, choosing the right serveware, and crafting stories that connect people to their cups—I've had the privilege of experiencing coffee at every stage of its journey.
And with every experience, my curiosity has only grown.
One Step at a Time
My journey has also taught me what it means to stand behind a coffee bar—the dedication to serving every cup with care, the patience to understand individual preferences, and the responsibility of making each coffee experience memorable.
I spent a year serving specialty coffee in Gurgaon's evolving coffee market, where one of my biggest learnings was understanding how to introduce specialty coffee to someone who had only ever known instant coffee.
I've served some of the country's most discerning coffee palates at the National Barista Championship.
It wasn't simply about serving a different beverage. It was about helping people discover the complexity, processes, flavours, and stories behind a thoughtfully brewed cup.
I explored different platforms for serving coffee—weddings, awareness events, and a cloud kitchen—but my purpose remained the same:
Five Years, Countless Cups, and One Memorable Milestone
Looking back, my journey has been filled with lessons, challenges, and moments of growth.
Last year, I placed among the top six baristas in the country, and I became the Delhi Regional Champion for the National Barista Championship 2027.
Every cup I brewed, every mistake I made, and every piece of feedback I received pushed me to learn, improve, and grow.
And there's still so much more to explore.
Bringing the Experience Home to Siliguri
After spending years exploring the world of coffee, I now want to bring those experiences, learnings, and opportunities to Siliguri—my home.
My vision, together with people passionate about coffee, is to contribute to a growing coffee culture in the city—one that goes beyond simply drinking coffee and encourages people to discover, appreciate, and experience it.
Here's what I hope to bring to the community:
- Specialty Coffee Experience: Thoughtfully selected coffees that showcase unique flavours, origins, and processing methods.
- Barista Training: Sharing practical knowledge, techniques, and experiences for aspiring coffee professionals, including techniques used to serve some of the best tasters in the country.
- Manual Brewing Workshops: Helping coffee enthusiasts explore different brewing methods and understand their cups better.
- Coffee Meet-ups & Conversations: Creating a space for coffee lovers to connect, exchange ideas, and learn from one another.
- Curated Coffee Experiences: Bringing together everything I've learned to showcase the best that coffee has to offer.
For me, coffee has always been about curiosity, craftsmanship, community, and connection.
And now, I'm excited to share that passion with the people of Siliguri.
With coffee and gratitude,
Milind Mantri & Neha Mantri