Profile Overview
Mithilesh Vazalwar is the founder of Corridor Seven Coffee Roasters, India’s first AeroPress Champion and the 2022 National Barista Champion of India. He has played a key role in decentralising specialty coffee from metros to smaller cities like Nagpur. From learning the ropes at Blue Tokai to building his own brand rooted in transparency, sustainability, and community, he has dedicated himself to making Indian coffee more accessible, farmer-aligned, and quality-driven.
In the bustling streets of Nagpur, a city famous for its oranges, a quiet but notable shift is taking place—a growing interest in coffee. Leading this movement is Mithilesh Vazalwar, a coffee enthusiast-turned-entrepreneur who has transformed his love for coffee into a career and is now at the forefront of India’s growing specialty coffee culture. Mithilesh's journey from a professional badminton player to a Chartered Accountant and eventually to the founder of Corridor Seven Coffee Roasters is a powerful testament to the importance of following one’s passion and seizing opportunities along the way.
From Badminton to Brewing: The Early Fascination with Coffee
Mithilesh’s introduction to coffee was far from typical. As a professional badminton player in the early 2000s, his life revolved around tournaments and travel. Yet, amid the hustle of sports, coffee emerged as his constant companion.
“I started brewing coffee for myself around 2002–2003,” he recalls. What began as a way to stay energized during long tournament days quickly evolved into something much deeper.
In those early years, Mithilesh’s approach to coffee was largely functional. He would experiment with French press brews and instant coffee powders, noticing subtle differences in flavour from place to place. This observation ignited his curiosity, prompting him to ask, 'Why does coffee
taste different from one place to another?'
This initial curiosity laid the foundation for his evolving interest in coffee.
Reflecting on those beginnings, Mithilesh shares, “I was already into some kind of coffee consumption since the late 2000s, but those days were different. Coffee was more of a functional drink that was locally available and was more about the comfort, the routine, and the subtle joy of crafting something with my own hands.”
This intuitive approach, rooted in experimentation, laid the groundwork for his future coffee career.
Moments from a specialty coffee session
The Coffee Awakening in Melbourne
In 2015, Mithilesh went to Melbourne for CA-related work for his firm, and this trip turned out to be a pivotal moment in his life. Melbourne, known globally for its rich and eclectic coffee culture, proved to be a revelation for him. His sister suggested that he explore the local coffee scene, so she booked him a two-day coffee workshop in the city. Encouraged to explore Melbourne’s coffee culture, he arrived with a list of cafés and an eagerness to learn.
Mithilesh soon found himself fully immersed in Melbourne’s rich coffee culture. He explored various cafés, engaging in deep conversations with baristas, roasters, and fellow coffee enthusiasts. He even stumbled upon a coffee cupping session where he observed a man methodically tasting different cups of coffee. This further piqued his curiosity. He learned that every step in the cupping process, from smelling the grounds to tasting the brewed coffee, was crucial in evaluating a coffee's quality and flavour profile.
While in Melbourne, this newfound curiosity continued to grow as Mithilesh participated in the two-day workshop. For the first time, he grasped a portafilter and engaged directly with the brewing process.
“This is what I want to do,” he realised. The hands-on experience deepened his appreciation for the nuances of coffee, intensifying his passion and dedication to mastering the craft.
On his flight back to India, Mithilesh had already made a bold decision. He resolved to leave behind his CA career and commit fully to coffee. The only hurdle left was to break the news to his family that he was abandoning his CA career to pursue coffee.
The initial days of Corridor Seven
Switching Lanes
Upon returning from Melbourne, in 2015, Mithilesh took a bold step—he shut down his CA firm overnight. Shortly after, Mithilesh came across an opportunity at Blue Tokai, one of India’s premier specialty coffee roasters. They were looking for roasters, and despite having no formal experience, Mithilesh applied and gave them his word to hone his skills within a month. In September 2015, Mithilesh officially joined Blue Tokai as a junior roaster, marking the beginning of his professional journey in coffee. The work was physically demanding, with long hours spent roasting beans and mastering the art of cupping.
“There were days we roasted for 12 to 18 hours,” he recalls. His dedication and passion paid off, and within a year, Mithilesh was promoted to head roaster and trainer, where he mentored others and refined his own skills.
At Blue Tokai, Mithilesh gained valuable insights into the delicate balance between artistry and commerce in the coffee industry. He acquired hands-on experience in all aspects of the business, from sourcing high-quality beans to roasting them to perfection.
Mithilesh emphasised the profound impact that Matt Chitharanjan and Namrata, the founders of Blue Tokai, had on his journey. Working closely with them during his tenure was a pivotal experience. He praised their exceptional culture, strong work ethic, and notable achievements, attributing much of his deep understanding of the coffee industry to his time at Blue Tokai. One key aspect of his role involved interacting with customers and educating them about specialty coffee, which helped him develop a keen understanding of consumer preferences and the nuances of the coffee market.
I didn’t have pouches, I didn’t have a grinder… and there was never a plan for a coffee shop
- Mithilesh Vazalwar
Roast. Learn. Repeat.
In 2017, Mithilesh’s coffee journey took another leap. On his way to becoming a certified Q Grader in Australia, he spent ten days in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where he immersed himself in a workshop led by Alexandru Niculae, the 2016 World Roasting Champion.
“For the rest of the days, I just followed him wherever he went—right from picking up the sacks to understanding the roasting information he was giving out,” Mithilesh recalls.
This hands-on learning experience, combined with his Q Grader certification at Veneziano Coffee Roasters in Melbourne later that May, sharpened his understanding of quality and flavour. Soon after his return, everything aligned—the AeroPress Championship came calling, and Mithilesh was ready.
And the First Indian AeroPress Champion Is...
Mithilesh’s rise in the coffee world reached a pivotal moment in 2017 when he became India’s first AeroPress Champion. The AeroPress Championship, a prestigious event in the coffee world, celebrates the art of brewing coffee using AeroPress—a tool known for its versatility in extracting the best flavours from coffee beans. In preparation for the competition, Mithilesh experimented with brewing techniques such as grind size, water temperature, and extraction time. One of his key innovations was using freeze-distilled milk in his signature beverage, which added a sweeter, more concentrated flavour that perfectly complemented the coffee.
The victory was more than just a title—it was a statement. It highlighted that India’s coffee scene was evolving and capable of producing exceptional talent within the country. Mithilesh fondly recalls receiving a congratulatory call from Rizwan, founder of Dope Coffee, in Mumbai.
“That is when it definitely felt that this coffee community in India is at the right place,” he reminisces. That call felt like the coffee community was coming together.
Winning the AeroPress Championship opened new doors for Mithilesh, increasing his visibility in the coffee community and solidifying his status as a key figure in India’s coffee revolution. But for Mithilesh, the win wasn’t just about personal success—it set the foundation for something even bigger: his own venture.
In 2022, Mithilesh went on to compete for the National Barista Championship where he emerged as the winner.
Roasting in progress at Corridor Seven
From badminton to roasting
Corridor Seven: Bringing Specialty Coffee to Nagpur
With an AeroPress championship win and over a year of roasting experience at Blue Tokai under his belt, Mithilesh was ready to take the next step in his coffee journey—founding his own company. In 2017, he launched Corridor Seven Coffee Roasters in his hometown of Nagpur. Corridor Seven began humbly, operating out of a small roastery set up in a friend’s backyard.
“I didn’t have pouches, I didn’t have a grinder… and there was never a plan for a coffee shop,” Mithilesh recalls.
Yet, despite these modest beginnings, Corridor Seven quickly gained a dedicated following. What started as a small roasting operation soon evolved into a thriving café, becoming a community hub for coffee enthusiasts. From the outset, Mithilesh was committed to doing things differently. He prioritised transparency and sustainability, working closely with coffee farmers to ensure they received fair trade prices for their beans. His mission extended beyond serving high-quality coffee—he wanted to educate his customers. He wanted people to not just drink coffee but to understand it.
Mithilesh recalled that back in 2017, when they started, there were very few walk-ins—usually five or seven people. “I used to ask people, ‘Hey, we are making a pour-over, why don’t you try it?’ If they didn’t like it, I would replace it. I remember all the first 100 people who came back then, and most of them are still in touch. They have all converted to black coffee now.”
They had formed a community that they playfully referred to as "C7"
There were days we roasted for 12 to 18 hours.
- Mithilesh Vazalwar
This sense of connection and history is also reflected in the name "Corridor Seven." The name beautifully encapsulates Mithilesh's journey and India’s rich coffee heritage. It draws from Mithilesh’s earliest memory of experiencing the captivating aroma of coffee in the corridor of his school’s staff room—a moment that ignited his passion and set him on his coffee journey. The
“Seven” is a tribute to the legend of Baba Budan, who brought seven coffee beans from Yemen to India, sowing the seeds of coffee cultivation in Chikmagalur and forever intertwining India’s story with that of this beloved beverage. This fusion of personal history and cultural legacy forms the foundation of Corridor Seven, embodying a deep connection to both Mithilesh’s roots and the heritage of Indian coffee.
Roasting hands of Corrdior Seven
Navigating Challenges and Pioneering Indian Coffee
Starting a specialty coffee business in Nagpur in 2017 came with its own set of challenges. Recruiting and retaining talent in a smaller city was difficult, as many skilled professionals were drawn to larger metros. Mithilesh acknowledges these hurdles, emphasising that every organisation faces obstacles as it grows.
However, Mithilesh’s perseverance paid off. Today, Corridor Seven serves over 1,500 cups of coffee daily, has a growing team of 100 members, and is expanding into four new markets with both B2B and B2C arms. Mithilesh’s commitment to transparency and sustainability—working closely with farmers and educating consumers—has made Corridor Seven one of India’s leading specialty coffee brands.
With the 20222 National Barista Championship trophy
Brewing, roasting, building
Collaboration Over Competition
Mithilesh believes that the future of Indian coffee lies in collaboration, not competition. He draws inspiration from his experiences in Melbourne, where roasters frequently supported each other in a way that left a lasting impression on him. He recalls an incident at Proud Mary Coffee Roasters when a neighbouring roaster walked in, asking for 20 kilograms of a specific coffee they had run out of. The response was casual and friendly: “Sure, I’ll invoice you later, but the beers are on you!” Mithilesh hopes to see this spirit of camaraderie and mutual support in the Indian coffee community. He stresses that there’s ample room for everyone and that working together is the key to helping the entire industry grow.
As Corridor Seven continues to grow, Mithilesh plans to expand it across the country and beyond. He is focused on his mission to craft the best coffee possible, expand across India and beyond, and build a thriving coffee community.
