In this post, we’d like to introduce you to someone you may have seen around our coffee shops but didn’t know is one of the driving forces behind Shavi Coffee Roasters.
Thibault, a civil engineer turned coffee entrepreneur, is not just a co-founder of our roastery — he’s also a passionate advocate for specialty coffee. You might’ve crossed paths with him without realizing the incredible journey he’s been on, from France to Chad, and now here in Georgia, with a Georgian wife and a baby on the way.
We sat down with Thibault to talk about how coffee became such a big part of his life, and what keeps him motivated as he helps shape the future of specialty coffee in Georgia.
How did you first get into specialty coffee? What drew you in?
I discovered specialty coffee through Shavi. Before that, I had stopped drinking coffee for 15 years after overdoing it during my student years. When Ryan was looking for investors to start Shavi, we talked, and he introduced me to the world of specialty coffee. That’s when I fell in love with it.
Was there a moment when you realized coffee would be such a big part of your life?
When I saw how many people enjoyed our coffee. It gave me a real sense of pride in what we do. The quality of the product attracts great people, and they become part of the Shavi adventure.
How did your journey in coffee evolve from that moment to founding Shavi Coffee Roasters?
When I invested in Shavi, I didn’t realize just how difficult it is to make a perfect cup of coffee. Every step of the process is complex, a mix of craftsmanship, innovation, and creativity.
What does "specialty coffee" mean to you personally, and how do you incorporate that into your daily life?
Some say it’s all about the SCA score, but for me, it’s about care—care at every step of the way. Care for the communities, for the origin, for freshness, for processing, for roasting, and for brewing.
How has your view of coffee changed over the years?
The biggest shift for me is that I no longer see coffee as a commodity. It takes an incredible amount of work to create a great cup. Just like wine is much more than fermented grape juice, coffee is not just beans cooked in water. It takes meticulous attention to detail to bring out its best flavors.
What role does coffee play in your life beyond business?
For me, it’s a moment of connection. Every morning, my wife and I take time to brew proper coffee at home before starting our day.
As a co-owner of Shavi, what has been the most fulfilling part of working in coffee?
The team and the people. I also really enjoy doing cuppings at the roastery—it sharpens my sensory skills and helps me understand our product better.
What challenges have you faced in bringing specialty coffee to the Georgian market?
The biggest challenge is education. How do we show people that Shavi coffee isn’t just any coffee? That it has a story, a unique flavor profile, and that every person along the supply chain contributed to making this cup possible? Right now, we’re focusing on educational events in Georgian and English, and we’re opening up the roastery more often so people can see what makes our coffee special.
How do you stay motivated and continue pushing the boundaries of quality at Shavi?
Recently, I traveled to Ethiopia to source coffee for 2025. Connecting the raw product to the final cup and the people who enjoy it keeps me motivated. There are so many beautiful stories to tell.
What advice would you give someone just starting their journey into specialty coffee?
Go to a cupping! Cuppings are coffee tastings that help you discover different flavors and complexities. Most importantly, be curious, have fun, and experiment.
What’s your idea of a perfect cup of coffee?
Something experimental, shared with curious people, while discussing what experiment to try next.
Can you share a standout coffee experience?
My Ethiopia trip was an incredible source of inspiration and motivation. It was powerful to connect our final recipient—the customer, like Gogita—to the very beginning of the process: the farmers.
From a morning cup to an Ethiopian Adventure: Gogita's coffee journey
What’s next for Shavi Coffee Roasters, and how do you see specialty coffee evolving in Georgia and beyond?
We want to keep introducing more people in Georgia to specialty coffee. We also want the world to recognize the Georgian specialty coffee scene. One of our goals is to build bridges between our coffee community, Georgia’s wine enthusiasts, and the farmers who grow the coffee we love
In this photo, you can see Thibault with one of our trusted partners, farmer Esayas Barso, holding a batch of our Ethiopia Esayas Barso Natural Anaerobic Filter beans. This is one of our most popular coffees, known for its unique flavors and meticulous processing. It’s a beautiful example of the journey from farm to cup and the connection between the farmers who grow our coffee and the roasters who bring it to life.
