The championships are an exciting explosion of colour, noise, nerves and exceptionally talented baristas. It is impossible to ignore the passion that the coffee industry has for its craft, and the seriousness with which these championships are taken. And indeed they should be, with the winner being flown to the World Barista Championships in London to represent New Zealand.
The baristas are required, in fifteen minutes, to make four espressos, four cappuccinos and four of their signature drinks. All the while they gain points for talking about the blend they have chosen - from its origin to its taste profile - while being filmed and rigged up to a microphone so the crowd can hear them clearly! No surprise that shaking hands and voices went hand-in-hand with outstanding coffee.
A big congratulations goes to David Huang from Espresso Workshop who took out the competition.
Finally, you’ll notice from the photos that our Coffee Master David Burton, and our Assistant Tea and Coffee Taster Amy Reason were both judges on the day, as they were in the Christchurch and Wellington heats. Congratulations to Amy who was selected, for her first time, to be a judge alongside David at the National Finals in two weeks time. A very big achievement indeed!
