At Muskoka Roastery, we’ve always believed that exceptional coffee starts with extraordinary people. That’s why we’re thrilled to celebrate a significant milestone: our Total Quality Manager, Kayla Tinkler, has officially achieved Q Grader certification, one of the most rigorous and respected credentials in the global coffee industry.

This accomplishment doesn’t just highlight Kayla’s talent; it elevates the standard of every cup we roast and reflects Muskoka Roastery’s ongoing commitment to excellence from bean to brew.

Kayla Tinkler is a true coffee aficionado whose incredible palate and coffee cupping skills are the crème de la crème of quality assurance. With expert intuition, ingenuity, and years of practice, Kayla ensures that every bean meets the highest standards. Her commitment to quality filters through every batch, making her an essential ingredient in each of our products.

The Q Grader program is a globally recognized certification that represents the gold standard in coffee evaluation. Administered by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), it validates advanced skills in sensory evaluation, defect identification, green-coffee grading, and flavour profiling.

Becoming a Q Grader is no small feat. Candidates undergo six days of intensive testing, including numerous exams that measure everything from olfactory recognition to triangulation and sensory memory. Fewer than 10,000 professionals worldwide have earned this distinction, and even fewer reside in Canada.

Having a certified Q Grader like Kayla on our team means every decision, from sourcing beans to perfecting roast profiles, is guided by internationally calibrated expertise.

Consistency & quality: Each batch is evaluated to the same standards used by top producers and importers around the world.

Sharper flavour development: Kayla’s trained palate ensures that every roast captures the true character of its origin.

Better communication across the supply chain: Q Graders speak the same sensory “language” as growers and exporters, helping us build even stronger relationships at origin.

Leadership in Canadian coffee: With so few Q Graders nationwide, Kayla’s certification places Muskoka Roastery among a rare group of Canadian roasters setting a global standard for excellence.

The Q Grader certification represents more than professional achievement — it’s a promise of quality you can taste. Thanks to Kayla’s expertise and dedication, every Muskoka Roastery coffee continues to reflect our mission: crafting premium, sustainably roasted coffee that Canadians can be proud to brew.