Young achiever’s inspirational story
TEN years ago, Simphiwe “Bobby” Adams worked as a runner, clearing away coffee cups, but today he fills them with the most delicious brews – a skill that will now see him compete in an international barista competition.
The Kwazakhele resident leaves for Hungary next month to take part in the World Cup Tasting Competition, competing against baristas from across the globe.
As the winner of the South African National Cup Tasting Competition, held in Midrand this month, the country’s hopes will be pinned on him.
Adams said he had started working at the Blue Waters Cafe in Summerstrand at the age of 17.
“That was back in 2007 and at that time I was just a boy who wanted work, any type of work,” he said.
He was clearing tables but he knew he wanted more out of life.
“One day I saw this big, weirdlooking machine that I later found out makes coffee,” he said.
“I was very interested in what it did so I started playing around with it and soon I learnt how it worked.”
After a while the barmen showed him what to do.
“From there, I never looked back,” he said.
The then owner decided to open up another restaurant, La Vela Café, and Adams was recruited as the official barista.
“At La Vela Café I got more training from other professional baristas in Port Elizabeth,” he said.
“They taught me the origins of the coffee beans, where various types of coffee come from.
“Soon I started entering competitions.
“One of the judges at the com petitions was my present boss, Deidre Allen, and I have been winning competitions for four years in a row now,” a beaming Adams said.
“After the regional competitions I had been entering, I started entering the national ones.
“At this year’s competition, the entire office had been helping me train. They were 100% behind me.
“It was so encouraging and overwhelming at the same time.
“On the day of the competition they wouldn’t let me eat anything as they didn’t want me to mess up my taste buds. “I was nervous and uneasy. “Mathew Allen, who has always been my wing man, just kept on giving me water, glass after glass.
“After the competition I was feeling down, as if I hadn’t done my best and as if I didn’t give it my all.
“We were on our way home when we got the news that I had won.
“Now I’m off to Budapest to represent my country with a skill that I never thought I would love and appreciate so much.”
Adams said he also wanted to introduce barista training for youngsters in underprivileged areas.