Glasgow headquartered coffee roaster Matthew Algie has strengthened its credentials in the UK and Ireland’s specialty coffee market after two of its team members achieved one of the industry’s most prestigious accreditations.
Estelle MacGilp, Head of Coffee Sourcing, and Gosia Lendzioszek, Account Development Manager, have both been recognised as Q Graders under the newly relaunched “Evolved Q” certification programme, now managed by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).
With fewer than 150 certified Q Graders in the UK, and just a handful in Scotland, the dual qualification is a rare distinction – and a major milestone for Matthew Algie as it reaffirms its commitment to excellence and quality control in every cup.
MacGilp said: “To have not one, but two Q Graders in-house puts us in the top tier of coffee roasters across the UK and Ireland. This isn’t just a personal achievement for Gosia and me – it’s a significant step for Matthew Algie and our partners across the supply chain.”
The Q Grader certification is widely regarded as the coffee industry’s equivalent to a wine sommelier or Master of Wine. It formally recognises the sensory expertise required to evaluate, score and communicate the quality of coffee according to a globally standardised process. Originally developed by the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), the programme has now been fully integrated into the SCA’s Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) framework, with a greater focus on holistic evaluation and inclusivity across coffee types – including Robusta.
Candidates must pass more than 20 sensory and technical assessments – from blind cupping to triangulation and aroma recognition. MacGilp, who first qualified under the CQI system more than a decade ago, described the recertification process as ‘every bit as rigorous and humbling’ as her original experience.
MacGilp, who believes the qualification will become ‘essential’ in the industry, added: “There’s no shortcut to becoming a Q Grader. You need to have cupped hundreds, if not thousands, of coffees, developing a sensory library in your mind that allows you to distinguish the subtle flavour, texture, and aroma differences in coffees from around the world.
“In fine dining, you expect a sommelier. We believe in a future where specialty coffee professionals are held to the same standard.”
Lendzioszek, who entered the coffee industry through barista work nearly two decades ago, described earning her Q Grader badge as like earning a ‘black belt in coffee’.
She said: “This isn’t the end of the road – if anything, it’s the beginning. Sensory analysis is a skill that takes years to build, and what excites me most is sharing that passion with customers, colleagues, and other coffee professionals.”
The recognition also highlights the growing role of women in a historically male-dominated corner of the coffee industry.
“We hope our achievement sends a message to aspiring sensory specialists – especially young women – that this space is open to you. Your senses are a tool – they can be trained, developed, and trusted.”
Matthew Algie, which last year marked its 160th anniversary, supplies coffee, machines, equipment, and training to thousands of organisations throughout the UK and Ireland across industries including hospitality, education, and the public sector, has made the move as part of its ambitious plan to achieve Net Zero by 2040.
For more on Matthew Algie, visit matthewalgie.com.
