Longstanding member of staff Tom Altoft has become the private label coffee roaster’s third qualified Q Grader.
Green bean co-coordinator Tom passed with flying colours after a rigorous six day examination process. The prestigious coffee tasting qualification, awarded by the Coffee Quality Institute, is held by only 42 people in the UK. Tom joins Lincoln & York’s managing director James Sweeting and coffee taster and buyer Rebekah Kettrick as the company’s third Q Grader.
Tom Altoft joined Lincoln & York in 2000 at the tender age of 17. After working his way up from the packing line, Tom has been managing the co-ordination of coffee stocks and roasting coffee at Lincoln & York for over a decade. This new acknowledgement further enhances the knowledge and qualifications within the Lincoln & York team.
James Sweeting commented: “We couldn’t be prouder of Tommy for becoming an official Q Grader. To have not one, but three Q Graders amongst the Lincoln & York team is a huge achievement – our tasting room has never been busier! From the young man who came to us straight out of school in 1999, Tom has grown hugely in skills and confidence and is a great asset to the team and very deserving of this qualification. Please join us in wishing him huge congratulations.”
