News Details

Monday, February 08, 2010

Joses excels at UKBC

Congratulations to Jose Melim from Jika Jika - the winner of the South West regional heat of the UK Barista Championships.

Jose used the last few kilos of our Finca Los Altos coffee from Nicaragua and held his nerve with credit in his first year entering the competition held at last weeks ExpoWest Exhibition in Exeter.

Jose impresses the judges in Exeter.

Jose’s signature drink was a delicious mixture of espresso (Origin’s Finca Los Altos), chocolate and the dried fruit from the coffee tree.

Impressively, all of the baristas from Jika Jika entered; Paul and Alex also putting on an excellent show with great barista skills.

Credit should also go The Extreme Academy at Watergate Bay.

Kirk represented the Beach Hut within the competition and performed admirably.

Thanks also to Dave Jones and Sam Dunford of Eat5 Star who used our coffee in the competition and also showed fantastic barista knowledge and skills.

A special mention should also go to Marcin Drzewiecki - formerly of Fiteen London, for his excellent and innovative performance in the latte art competition.

His great pour (below) earned him 2nd place.

Good luck to all of the baristas in getting through to the next round.

Every year more British Baristas take part in competitions around the country to become regional winners and go for the top award of UK National Champion. The competing Baristas have to serve up four espressos, four cappuccinos and four ‘signature’ drinks in 15 minutes.

Points are awarded for taste, texture, presentation, professional dedication, attention to detail, and the general speed and efficiency with which the Barista conducts their preparations.

The results further outline Origin’s ethos of creating cutting edge coffee people through providing extensive barista training, education and advice.

The semi finals and final of the UK Barista Championships take place at The Hotelympia Show, at London's ExCel Exhibition Centre on February 28^th February and 1^st March 2010.

The overall winner will then return to London to represent the UK in the World Barista Championship at Caffè Culture, Olympia, from June 23-25 2010.

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