Tuesday, February 1, 2011

....NSW Barista Champs 2010

Saturday 15th of January 2011 saw the NSW Barista Championships held at NUMERO UNO roasting facility in Beaconsfield, Sydney. I was lucky enough to be asked to help with the sensory judging which was a lot of fun and a great experience for my own coffee making and training.





With ridiculously high humidity on the day the barista's certainly felt the heat - along with the audience who had no option but to grin and bear it while they supported their friend or family member. Even with the pressure of competition and the tricky conditions all of the competitors did a fantastic job and there were some really tasty espressos, buttery cappuccino's and some interesting signature drinks.





















It is awesome as a barista and a coffee lover to hear the stories of other barista and why they are in the coffee industry. Each competitor is required to make 4 espresso, 4 cappuccino's and 4 signature drinks (1 for each of the sensory judges. This process must take place in their 15 min competition time... all while explaining to the judges and audience why they are doing what they are doing, why they love coffee, and any other relevant information --- they basically must sell themselves as the best ambassador for specialty coffee in NSW - potentially Australia - potentially the WORLD.

With only 36 points separating the top 6 baristas, the day was won by Alex Stathis, who challenged the judges with some fascinating coffee chemistry. 





















Top 6 results for the Detpak NSW Barista Champion were:
1 Alexandra Strathis (Numero Uno)

2 Tim Goonan (Michel’s Patisserie-trainer)
3 Salavatore Magro (Pablo & Rusty’s)
4 Andrew Morton (The Source)
5 Lloyd Thom (Toby’s Estate)
6 Sam Sgambellone (Mecca)

Alex will go to the National Championships to take on the best in the country - - - Good Luck Alex




The Detpak NSW Cup Tasting Championship was also heldThe four contestants were neck-to-neck until the last cup was checked.




Sam Sgambellone (mecca) took out the comp and will take his silver spoon to the nationals in the Gold Coast.


Special thanks to
  • Gina de Brita (Numero Uno) for hosting the event
  • all our sponsors for providing the support for the Championships
  • Nadja Malovic for organising it all
  • Aimen Krayem (Cafetto) for MC’ing
  • Saxon Wright for judge calibration and head judging Team One, while Keith headed the A Team
  • Phil, Sean, and Breana for technical judging
  • Sanchia, John, Paul, Chris, Tobin, Gina, Denis and Dan for sensory judging
  • Paul Geshos (Mecca) for preparing all the cup tasting coffees and Dan Yee for helping make it happen
  • Jerome for score-keeping in that hot little judges’ room
  • Our time keeper and several runners for keeping it all together.



















***Results and thanks from AASCA website - thanks Keith Pettigrew

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