Rene's Story
René Orellana Palacios didn't take the traditional path into the coffee industry; he built his foundation in the courtroom. A law graduate from the prestigious Andrés Bello Catholic University, René eventually decided to put his legal mind to use in a completely different profession.
Today, he is arguably the most dedicated advocate for Venezuelan specialty coffee, merging his analytical background with an unstoppable entrepreneurial spirit as the founder of the brand Quiero1café.
The Legal Mind in the Lab
René approaches coffee with the same rigorous scrutiny and pursuit of truth as he approached law. He holds a Diploma in Coffee from the Central University of Venezuela. He is a certified Q Arabica Grader and holds a Q Processing Level I certification from the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI).
Add to that his SCA certifications as both a roaster and barista, and you have a professional who intimately understands the entire value chain—from agronomy and fermentation protocols all the way to heat transfer and extraction.
Calibrating at the Judges' Table
This high-level technical expertise has made him a fixture at the judges' table. René serves as a Sensory Judge for the Venezuelan International Specialty Coffee Exhibition (EICEV) and holds WCC (World Coffee Championships) licenses to judge National Barista and Brewers Cup competitions across both Venezuela and Colombia. He knows exactly what a championship-winning roast curve tastes like on the cupping table.
When he isn't calibrating on a sensory panel, he dedicates his time to consulting for emerging coffee businesses, helping a new generation of entrepreneurs find their footing in a complex market.
A Global Narrative
René is quick to emphasize the social power of coffee, beliving that "good stories begin with a coffee." He is using his voice, his highly calibrated palate, and his roasting expertise to ensure that the story of Venezuelan specialty coffee is told globally with the precision and respect it deserves.