23 Nov 2009
The Search for NZ's Top Baristas is on

We're searching for the Nation's Best Baristas

Barista's get ready - the Coffee Roasters' Association is calling for entries into the 2010 New Zealand Barista Championship.

The Championship is the annual national competition that uncovers the country's best baristas. Only one can be named NZ Barista Champion 2010.

The NZ Barista Champion 2010 will compete at the world event in London in June, against more than 50 other nations.

Entrants to the local Championship need to be New Zealand residents that are currently working in the coffee industry. In 2009 scores of baristas entered the competition but only 9 from each of the three regions (South, Lower North and Upper North Islands) will make to it to the competition stage.

Selection is based on experience both within the industry and in coffee competition, as well as their passion for the barista craft as a profession.

The top two baristas from each regional event are guaranteed a place in the national final. A maximum of three wild cards might also be accepted into the final. A wild card is a barista who shows the most promise as a future Champion, but is not necessarily the third place getter.

The first of three regional events kicks off at C4 Coffee in Christchurch on Saturday 6^th March. Two weeks later the competition moves to iconic Caffe L'affare to uncover the capital's best baristas. The best of Auckland will be uncovered at Bell Tea and Coffee on Sunday 28 March.

The finalists from around the country will battle it out at the national final on Saturday 17 April. Allpress Espresso, Auckland is hosting the Championship final.

The runner-up and third place barista also win trips to London to see the World Barista Championship.

Each barista is judged by a panel of seven judges - four sensory, two technical and one head judge. The suite of judges includes Chris White, Altura Coffee; Emma Markland Webster, Atomic Coffee Roasters; Jessica Godfrey, Caffe L'affare; Brydon Price, Atomic Coffee Roasters; Scott Pepler, Cerebos; David Burton, Bell Tea and Coffee and Bernard Smith, Vivace, who are all World Barista Championship Accredited.

The balance of judges will be recruited from the coffee industry. Each judge will have had to pass an assessment based on sensory skills, understanding of the judge's protocols and rules and regulations.

The final will be judged only by WBC Accredited judges including at least one international WBC Accredited judge. The strength of the competition comes from the high caliber of judges we have in this country, says four-time Champion Carl Sara, and because once a national Champion is selected ‘Team New Zealand' supports them 100%.

Baristas who would like to enter the competition should do so on this site.

Dates:

Regional search:

South Island - Saturday 6^th March, C4 Coffee, Lichfield Street, Christchurch

Lower North Island - Sunday 21 March, Caffe L'affare, College St, Wellington

Upper North Island - Sunday 28 March, Bell Tea & Coffee, East Tamaki, Auckland

  Finals:

Auckland - Saturday 17 April, Allpress Espresso, Adelaide Rd, Freemans Bay

Please encourage any great baristas in your 'hood to enter. The competition is an amazing tool for discovering more about yourself and coffee.  Barista Championship takeaway cups and posters will be distributed around the country's cafe in early 2010.