Overwhelming Response for the Competition
Top competition is expected in this year’s Piazza Doro Fiji Barista of the Year competition. The event is sponsored and supported by Yees Cold Storage Seafood Limited, Novotel Hotels and Resorts, Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort and the Fiji Chefs Association. Yees Cold Storage Seafood Limited sales manager, Laite Cavalevu confirmed that they are overwhelmed with the applications received for the event.
“Making coffee is a different business altogether, here it is an art, 25 per cent is the coffee bean, 25 per cent is the machine and 50 per cent is the Barista,” Ms Cavalevu said.
“Hotel, resorts and restaurant are always on top, making the best coffee. This is one way to recognise their work.
“Fiji is a tourism destination and we need to be above par with the rest of the world so this is encouraging the participants to be upskill,” she said.
She said the event in its early years was only designed for the Accor Group and the national winner would compete in the regional competition involving those in New Zealand and Australian.
The respective top three competitors will qualify for the finals that will run parallel at the Moffat Chefs Salon Culinaire 2018 set for October 16-19 at the Fiji National University (FNU) Campus in Namaka, Nadi. According to Ms Cavalevu, those confirmed for the Suva event are Tanoa Plaza, Nanuku Auberge Resort, Peninsula Hotel, Novotel Lami, and Mamacita Mexican Restaurant.
Coral Coast includes Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort and Spa, Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa and Warwick Fiji Resort and Spa.
Nadi includes Sofitel Fiji Resort, Fiji Airways VIP lounge, Castaway Island Resort, Plantation Island Resort, Tanoa Properties, Tokatoka Resort, Novotel Nadi, Mamacita Mexican Restaurant and Wyndham Resort.
Three winners from the three regional events will make it to the finale.
Participant Timoci Savu said: “I am looking forward to this event as it will be my second participation. Last year I made my debut while being part of the Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay.”
The Nayau, Lakeba, Lau native will represent Tanoa International Hotel in the Latte competition this year.
“This is a grand event where coffee plays an important part of the beverages in the tourism industry. This competition assists us and broadens our thoughts and brings the best of our ability,” he said