Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood is an internationally acclaimed coffee professional, entrepreneur, and author recognized as one of the specialty coffee sector’s foremost innovators. He is a three-time UK Barista Champion (2012, 2014, 2015) and a multi-time finalist at the World Barista Championships, platforms he has consistently used to bridge the gap between coffee craftsmanship and rigorous scientific inquiry.
In 2009, Maxwell co-founded the multi-award-winning destination café Colonna & Small’s in Bath, followed by the launch of the Colonna Coffee roastery in 2015, which expanded its footprint with a dedicated London location on Leather Lane. His commitment to driving industry standards led him to reimagine specialty coffee capsule technology and spearhead the Peak Water Project, an innovative water filtration system designed specifically for brewing.
A dedicated researcher, Maxwell has co-authored several peer-reviewed academic papers exploring coffee science, frozen bean grinding, and sensory mechanics. He is the author of The Coffee Dictionary and The Business of Specialty Coffee, as well as the co-author of the seminal book Water for Coffee alongside chemist Dr. Christopher H. Hendon. He is a frequent speaker and consultant globally, driving progressive conversations around climate-resilient coffee varietals, supply chain equity, and value-driven consumer engagement.