Coffee and Conversation with Benjamin Paz

Thursday, October 15 | 6:30–8:00 p.m. | $5 Join us for an evening with Honduran coffee producer Benjamin Paz and three coffee professionals whose own sourcing story intersects with his. Nearly a decade ago, coffee trader Todd Mackey of Covoya Coffee introduced Give Coffee owner Jeff Brooks and Carabello Coffee owner Justin Carabello to Benjamin as potential roasting partners. That introduction grew into long-term relationships: first through coffees from producers in Benjamin's network, and later through coffees from his own farms as they came into production. In this relaxed industry hangout, Benjamin, Todd, Jeff, and Justin will take part in a guided panel discussion about direct relationship coffee: how these partnerships develop, what has worked, what has been challenging, and how the relationships have adapted to change. It’s a rare opportunity to hear Benjamin in the Midwest and connect with fellow coffee professionals. Your $5 ticket includes a cup of Benjamin Paz’s anaerobic honey process coffee, roasted by Carabello Coffee. Attendance is limited to 30 people. Benjamin Paz — Bio Benjamin Paz is a third-generation coffee producer from Santa Bárbara, Honduras, and the owner of Finca La Salsa, where he grows varieties including Gesha and SL-28. He also leads Beneficio San Vicente, the family coffee business that connects hundreds of Honduran producers with international buyers and builds long-term sourcing relationships. Ben is widely credited with helping put Santa Bárbara coffee on the specialty-coffee map: through San Vicente and his work with fellow producers, he has helped bring the region’s coffees to global buyers and encouraged more farmers to compete and grow quality coffee. His own coffees from La Salsa won first place in Honduras’s Cup of Excellence in 2022 and 2024, and the Alliance for Coffee Excellence recognizes him as a “Legend of Excellence.”