Time to spill: Defne Ceyda Okay isn’t just shaping Türkiye’s coffee scene—she’s rewriting its rules. As Oatly’s Barista Market Developer, World Coffee Championships judge, and soon-to-be SCA Trainer, she’s a force of curiosity, precision, and relentless connection. Her story isn’t about shortcuts or hype—it’s about turning coffee into a language of discovery, one cup at a time.
Defne’s journey began in 2015, when an AeroPress order at her local café sparked a decade-long obsession. What started as a curious sip evolved into a career that spans barista work, roasting, training, and event curation. She’s rebuilt Türkiye’s specialty coffee culture from the ground up, blending technical expertise with a knack for making complexity feel approachable. Her work at Oatly? A masterclass in merging innovation with community. She organizes events that feel like gatherings, not lectures, and creates drinks that surprise as much as they satisfy.
But Defne’s magic lies in her refusal to let coffee feel static. She trains baristas by treating them as collaborators, not students. “A good trainer is first a good listener,” she says, explaining how she translates jargon into relatable analogies—like comparing coffee varieties to oranges. Her goal? To make learning feel like an adventure, not a chore. And it works: her trainees leave with a hunger to experiment, not just memorize.
Yet her biggest mission isn’t about technique—it’s about bridging gaps. She’s dismantling myths that specialty coffee is elitist or overly technical, proving it’s about respect, not just roast dates. “Coffee is a conversation,” she insists. “It’s meant to spark questions, not just fill a cup.” Her projects aim to make that conversation inclusive, whether through a tasting session or a viral Instagram drink.
Her work at Oatly blends creativity with community, proving specialty coffee can be both accessible and exceptional.
KEY POINTS: Defne’s training philosophy turns coffee into a collaborative exploration, not a rigid curriculum. Her work at Oatly blends creativity with community, proving specialty coffee can be both accessible and exceptional. She’s redefining the industry by making every cup a chance to connect, not just consume.
Close: What’s one thing you’d change about the coffee industry—and how would you do it? Share your thoughts below.
Questions & Answers
What does a barista market developer do?
A barista market developer creates strategies to grow coffee businesses. They train baristas, design operations, and improve customer experience to increase sales and brand loyalty.
How does a barista trainer help a café?
A barista trainer improves skills, consistency, and service. They teach techniques, ensure quality, and boost team performance, leading to better customer satisfaction and business growth.
Information sourced from industry reports and news outlets.
