Barista Competitions

johnronchi · March 2003

Following on from the "coffee Associations" topic :-X
Im courious to hear what people think about barista comps...

in my experience there are very few that are not directly associated with a 'corporate' agenda (coffee distributor, roaster, machine sales etc). Hence i cannot accept that the judging would be indipendant. If I bought coffe X and was there biggest customer and the distributor of coffee X was having a comp i would expect one of my staff to win that comp or at least get a place. And surprise surprise that is what usually happens...

Hopefully the 'AASCA' and the 'Master Barista' comps may offer a quality alternative!

Another note...

I have seen many 'winners' of comps who nearly break down and cry when thay get more that 4 orders at once ... caus they might spill some ground coffee, forget to purge steam wand etc... caus they are comp junkys and con old ever make 4 of anything at a time (ok im being a bit harsh here..)

Dont get me wrong its all important, but your only good as your last espresso, and i think the true test is onsistancy not just a one off.

Any way what do you all think????

john

johnronchi · March 2003

sorry bout the spelling a typos guys.. hey its late! :-/

ristretto · March 2003

John, Interesting point, I tend to agree having seen a few and hey presto the barista who used the competition sponsors coffee won the event. I have no problem with nepotism as long as it is visible. As for the competitions they definitely have a place, why, think of an athlete who trains for something but never gets a chance to see how the other guy performs competitions allow for skills transfer whilst in the company of other baristas you realise you are not alone in the world it hopefully will raise the standard of espresso Happy tamping, Ristretto 8)

over_extracted · March 2003

Good place to build up your ego.bad luck about the people judging them only if they knew something about the industry it would help.

Unknown · May 2003

I agree, being able to handle volume with consistency is what counts. Few of the barista handling 50-60kg a week in the city have the added talent of producing a competition quality drink each time There are a few out there, and there are many over rated ones who crumble with volume

Unknown · May 2003

I love Barista competitions!! There is nothing like a good bit of under the clock competition to really put off a good Barista. Sounds like some of you just didnt cut the mustard and cracked under pressure! Having watched the pro himself WBC Champ Paul Bassett in Boston showed me the value in comps. Every year the standard gets better. To be of the caliber to win one of these things I'd say you could handle almost anything!

Emma_MW · May 2003

Hi there Guys I understand what you are saying! And some comps are a bit that way and have been in the past,but they are in my opinon leaning more towards the professional end now. And they can only push the barr.. As an x WBC competitor I can tell you it ain't all show! anyone that gets up there and puts themselves in the limelight to be judged, has got balls!! In some comps you will always get one or two that are not so skilled, but it is a learning curve for them and a good chance to exchange and compare notes with others in the same proffession. Don't knock it till you try it! And you know there will always be issues with different coffee companys. In the competitions I have judged it has only, and will only be a fare assesment of the baristas individual skills and coffee taste. And nothing else. Emma x

over_extracted · May 2003

Very well said Emma ;D ;D ;D

Unknown · June 2003

When is the next barista competition anyway? The fine food fare, coffee institute, piazza d'oro, or asca. As i reside in NSW, maybe interstate has something going on. Is there anybody out there? Had myself a really good East Timor Organic today. Have a go tell me what you think.

over_extracted · June 2003

Where did you get your taste buds on that????????i would like to try it :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P

Unknown · October 2003

Maybe it is time to revive this topic!!!! Reading the events page there is a comp. coming up. Any comments??????

Unknown · October 2003

Lee Believe there is a competition with $5000 as first prize going down over the next few weeks. I think it is being run by Danes Coffee in Brookvale. I do not think it has anything to do with the Australian Barista Competition held by the Coffee Association. Have not heard who the judges are. Maybe some one else has more information. Bill

Unknown · October 2003

Check out www.coffeeinstitute.com.au. They are holding the heat form today over the next three or four days at Harbord Rd Brookvale. I am just suprised that not many have picked up on it

Unknown · October 2003

Thanks Brian I checked that site out. Did not seem to say too much. Do you know who is doing the judging????? Any one with any street cred.

FreshCoffee2 · October 2003

Lee, I understand this "barista competition" is a part of this year's "Cafe Biz". So if you wish to know more you could try telephoning the organisers @ Kiss Marketing. Fresh Coffee

Unknown · October 2003

I am coming over to Sydney this coming weekend for the cafe biz and Nick my barista made it thru to the semi finals by coming 5th in the heats. I don't know who the judges are but Nick is keen to get his hands on the money. I think he will do well if there is no polotics involved in the comp. I would be interested in meeting people from the forum while I am in Sydney and to see what i need to do to get my cafe posted as a good spot for coffee and food. We will be at the Sheraton in sussex st and you can email me [email protected] Hope to hear or see you soon. "drink the black"

FreshCoffee2 · October 2003

Brian, re your second last paragraph...why not formalise this in a more definitive manner...how about extending an open invitation to Forum particiants who would like to meet up, to do so at the Crema Magazine Stand at say, 12.30 lunchtime on Saturday. Interested parties could go for a bite of lunch together.... There will never be a more opportune time like the present. Also suggest posting this idea as a separate Crema Forum TOPIC so it's not missed "inside" this topic. ? Fresh Coffee.

Unknown · October 2003

Sorry I missed your last post, but I did catch up with a few people there. Maybe if we could get crema to organise an official forum every 3 months, to see what the buzz is and where we are at. If not crema would there be enough people out there to join in and this would I hope be a totally non alligned, non biast,free discussion forum with no connection to any organisations or coffee companies. The reason why I would insist on this is that we can get rid of olot of the polotics and bitchness in the coffee industry. I am not out to offend any one. Let us do coffee and grow the coffee business as a whole and watch us all benifit thu out the industry... $1.50 billion last year in coffee and coffee products we are out there guys and gals and we can and will do better...why is it that the big soft drink companies are now trying different ways to halt our march forward.. yes they have been losing market share and are trying thier damdest to get to us and others, and no I am not paranoid about this. We need to be united as one body. Lets do it. regards to all Brian

admin · February 2004

Hi Boys and Girls - just a couple of updates re. upcoming barista competitions... 1.There's a Victorian competition as part of Celebrate the Bean to be held at the Melbourne food & Wine festival, run thru the Wm Angliss Coffee Academy. Heats commence at the Academy on Wednesday 24th March, 25th and 26th with the finals being held at Federation Square main stage on Sunday the 28th March. Entry fee is $55 (pay at information session. Contact the Jill Adams at the Coffee Academy for further details on 03 9606 2401 or or 0422 009 792. Entries close by Friday March 12 and can be faxed in on (03) 96062141 2. The AASCA 2004 National championship will be held in conjunction with Hospitality Live, on 4th,5th and 6th May 2004 at Darling Harbour, Sydney. This will be based on the WBC format, which allows the barista to use their own coffee, grinder and creativity to impress a panel of up to 7 judges. For entry details or enquiries please contact: Rob Forsyth

john · April 2004

Anyone got any GOS on the recent Barista Comp in Melb. ie who won, who were the finalists, who did the judging???? Also, anyone know about a B comp coming up in Newcastle over the next few weeks. JD

admin · November 2004

Now that the GCI comp has taken place (see Events for winners/pics) and we've got the Australian champs (under AASCA) coming up early next year, I thought I'd revive this topic. FYI there's a valuable discussion about the whole point of barista competitions on Coffee Geek site at the moment - http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/worldregional/australasia/90962#90962 if you'd like to check it out; and of course any coffeegeek members are welcome to continue their discussion here also. -A

john · November 2004

Admin I believe that there is a Barista gig on this weekend at the Glebe Street Fair. I had mentioned this previously, but there was no reply. I believe it is the Sydney part of the AASCA world title gig. ANYONE?????????? JD

admin · January 2005

Hi guys - for those that are interested, here are the dates for heats for the Aust. Barista comp, sponsored by AASCA: ACT - February 20: Belluci's Trattoria, Irving St, Woden QLD - February 26: Dibella Coffee, 82 Abbortsford Rd, Bowen Hills SA - March 9: Tourism Training SA, 9 Rundle Street, Kent Town NSW - March 12: Sydney Coffee Academy, Ryde Tafe, 250 Blaxland Rd Ryde VIC - March 16: Coffee Academy, William Angliss Institute, 555 La Trobe St, Melbourne. for further info.& entry forms, go to the AASCA website. Cheers Admin

Brian_Raslan · January 2005

For mor details go to www.australian.baristachampionship.com.au See you in Melbourne on 20th March 2005

john · March 2005

For those interested, the NSW heats for the AASCA Barista Champion is on this Saturday at Ryde TAFE. Starting at 11.00 am Building A, Level 4 John

admin · March 2005

Just a reminder for those that are interested... NSW Heats of Aust. Barista Champs at Ryde TAFE from 11.00am this Saturday (ie tomorrow). Finals at Melbourne's Celebrate the Bean on 20th March - for more info, go to: www.australian.baristachampionship.com.au

john · March 2005

An update The NSW gig is expected to start earlier at around 9.30 am. John

admin · March 2005

MOVED from 'Barista Competitions' under Have your say thread I would just like to say this. Why is it that the major coffee companies eg.DE have their baristas or in real term coffee sales rep enter the Australian Barista comp.I personaly think that this is wrong as most of this competitors spend most of their working hours selling coffee and seating in coffee shops, and not making coffee

admin · March 2005

MOVED from 'Barista Competitions' under: Have your say As much as there may have been a few employees of major companies entering the recent competitions, I think that you might have forgotten that they have put in their 'hard yards' and deserve the positions that they might now hold. Also, that they are entitled to reap the rewards for their years of dedication and training. They are still Baristi, and as it is a Barista competition, they have earnt the right to compete and to showcase their expertise and skills. As it turned out the winner of this years AASCA Australian title was not someone working for one of the big companies but a very talented and extremely dedicated professional young lady by the name of Hazel. Here is hoping that, Hazel can bring back the WBC title to Sydney when she competes in Seattle next month. Good luck Hazel John Original post by: Pinot

admin · March 2005

MOVED from 'Barista Competitions' under: Have your say Lone Barista, I'm not sure what you're suggesting - that employees of major companies be banned from competition? Or that you can only enter if someone else thinks you have a chance of winning? Or you can only enter if you don't sit around in coffee shops? What sort of criteria would you suggest? And well done Hazel! Regards, Gary Original post by Bean Counter

Unknown · March 2005

Well done to the young lady that won,but what i am saying is that people that are assosiated with coffee companies should back off the comps and let other full time barista enter so if you are employed as a sales rep you are not a full time barista so if you are not a full time barista why should you enter.....

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