UK Barista Championship 2011

28 Jan 11

The UK Barista Championship got underway this month, starting with the London heat on the 24-25th January. Entrants into the competition have to make three coffee courses; 4 Espresso, 4 Cappuccino and a signature drink. They have to speak to a panel of judges about the tastes and aromas of the coffee and the reasons for their choice of beans used. They are also judged on the method they use. In the first heat out of 19 competitors Will Corby from Mercanta came first with John Gordon (Square Mile) & Callum Thomson (Espresso Incognito) in 2nd and 3rd place.

It’s a great competition to go and watch. In 2009 we saw Gwilym Davies win the UKBC in Glasgow, later that year he went on to win the World Barista Championship in Atlanta. Just from watching the final in 2009 we learnt a huge amount. The competition is great as it gives the barista the chance to show their skill which then sets a standard for other baristas in the country to aspire to. It promotes being a barista as a serious and highly skilled profession.

On the 17th February in Lancaster, Luke Byrne-Perkins of Bold Street Coffee-Liverpool (sister company to Transition Espresso) will take place in the North West heat of the UKBC so we’ll be there cheering him on. Luke makes great coffee and has a real ability to enthuse you when he speaks about it. In the same heat is Dale Harris of Has Bean (who roast our coffee) so it’ll be stiff competition. At the back of the room they usually have an espresso machine setup that entrants go on and make coffee for the crowd (for a donation) after they’ve taken part so we’ll be looking forward to tasting some of the competition level coffees.

We’ll be updating the site with winners of heats as the competition goes on but its well worth checking out for yourselves.

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•