The UK Barista Championship South West heats are returning to expowest, the Westcountry Catering Exhibition on 8th and 9th February 2012. Run by the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe UK Chapter (SCAE UK) the competition aims to find a highly skilled and technical barista to represent the UK in the World Barista Championships.
Last year saw eleven baristas from the region battle it out for title of South West Champion. Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood from his own Bath-based venture, Colonna & Smalls, won the heat last year and has since gone on to expand his business and open up a larger coffee house in the city of Bath, cementing his success as a top barista.
During the heats, contestants are required to make four espressos, four cappuccinos and four espresso-based non-alcoholic signature drinks. These drinks are marked by two technical and four sensory judges who will assess the knowledge of the entrants as well as their attention to detail and creativity of their signature drink. The championships aim to raise standards throughout the industry, help baristas hone their techniques and encourage training and development within their establishments.
Kenneth Cooper, SCAE UK Co-ordinator comments: “We are very excited about the 2012 UK Barista Championships and are very pleased to once again be working with expowest, a very important trade partner, in the delivery of the South West heats. We had a fantastic turn out last year and we are hoping for more of the same in 2012. I encourage all baristas to take part as it is not only a great platform for learning and developing new skills, but it helps keep coffee topical and constantly works to improve the performance of the industry nationwide.”
Hugo Hercod (right) of Relish Food and Drink in Wadebridge Cornwall, a previous winner.The top scoring barista in the UKBC finals will be crowned UK Barista Champion 2012 and will go on to compete in the World Barista Championship in Vienna, Austria on 12th-15th June.
For baristas interested in taking part in the UK Barista Championships 2012, please see www.scaeuk.com for more information and to view an entry form. This year, baristas will be able to register and pay online. Entry costs £25. The deadline for entries is 31st December 2011.
For more information on the UK Barista Championships 2011/2012 and the other competitions run by the SCAE UK, please see www.scaeuk.com.
