Hot java gets hot competition
It’s a battle of the brew today.
Three baristas are fine tuning their skills in preparation for the finals of the Retail Excellence Awards barista competition being held this morning.
Orewa’s Tayla Young, Silverdale’s Anthony Wong, and Whangaparaoa’s Ranveer Chouhan join 18 other aspiring and skilled coffee makers from around the country.
The awards are run by BP Connect’s Wild Bean Cafe and are open to staff across all 82 Wild Bean Cafes nationwide.
Three titles are up for grabs: Rookie Barista of the Year, Manager Barista of the Year, and Supreme Barista of the Year.
Tayla Young, competing for Manager Barista of the Year, first started as a part timer working in the cafe four and a half years ago.
‘‘It’s where my roots are,’’ she says.
‘‘I’m a little bit nervous but I’m excited. It’s my first time going.’’
She says the trick to her great coffees are the connections she makes with the customer.
‘‘I talk to them as much as possible and ask them about how their day is going.’’
Judging for the awards focuses on elements such as taste and smell, including the flavours that shine through, plus sophisticated presentation, as well as speed.
‘‘There is a lot of skill required to make a good cup of coffee – from the bean grind and preparation, to the way the milk is prepared, right through to how each cup is poured and then serving it with a smile,’’ BP Connect retail director Frank van Hattum says.
‘‘This competition allows us to recognise every member of our barista team, many of whom have been with us for years.’’