1 October 2009
Let the Barista Battles Commence….
A new report from Costa via Ian Boughton at Boughtons Coffee House tells us that 47 per cent of consumers prefer coffee made by a barista, against 11 per cent who are happy with coffee made in an automatic machine. Time to get your baristas competing!
With more coffee shops appearing on high streets every day there is even more pressure to make your business stand out from the crowd, and barista competitions are a great way to do this.
Getting customers behind your best barista, by advertising the fact that they are entering helps build customer loyalty – people will want to know how they did, and of course to wish them luck! Supporting your staff through a competition is a great way to build team spirit – everyone can get behind them and even act as judges during practice sessions! It also shows that you care – great to help retain staff in this transient industry. When your barista does well you can tell the world (well, your customers and local press) about their success or the fact that they are indeed ‘a competition level barista’ showing how serious you are about the standard of your coffee whilst leaving your competitors gaping on the sidelines….
Be the Best with Brasilia….
This year sees the return of the popular Brasilia barista competition. Whilst UKBC can be daunting for a first time entrant (it shouldn’t be!) this competition is much more relaxed, needs little preparation or kit and is a great introduction to this years UKBC!
Aimed at rewarding and recognizing shop Baristas, the event has been designed to be light hearted and fun – you just have to turn up as all the kit will be provided! Entrants will be judged on basic technical, presentation skills and speed of service, just as if they were at work.
We’re supporting the competition and will be hosting a heat at BTB HQ on Wednesday 4th November, so hope you can make it! There are only 12 places per heat so make sure you get your name on the list for our heat, or one of the others listed below by registering at www.caffesociety.co.uk/bbc09 where full details about the competitions format can also be found.
The final will be held at Caffe Society’s head office near Leeds where the winner will be awarded with a trip to Brasilia’s factory in Retorbido, Italy and a training session at their 9 Bar Training Academy. We’ve been to 9 Bar, their training centre is fantastic and how knows you may even pick up some flairing skills along the way!
• Caffe Society Leeds 14th October
• Masteroast Peterborough 20th October
• Lavazza Uxbridge 29th October
• Beyond the Bean Bristol 4th November
• Dakota Eurocentral Hotel Motherwell 11th November
The grand final will be held at the Caffe Society offices in Leeds on the 18th November.
UK Barista Championships 2010
Registration opens on 1st November for what are sure to be some packed regional heats. The winner of this years UKBC will not only represent the UK at the World Championships in London, but also have the chance to keep the title in the UK following Gwilym Davies spectacular win in Atlanta last year. Now if that isn’t reason enough to sign up we don’t know what is!
The UK Chapter of the SCAE are busy working on a rather super new website where full details of the UKBC will be found, along with details of the other SCAE competitions – Latte Art, Coffee in Good Spirits and Cup Tasting.
So those all important dates to get yourself geared up for…..
Regional Heats
22nd January Northern Ireland
26th January Scotland
2nd – 4th February South West
16th – 17th February Midlands / North
20th February 2010 London / South East Host
Finals - Hotelympia
28th February 2010 Semi Finals
29th February 2010 Finals
The finals of the UK Latte Art Championship, UK Coffee in Good Spirits Competition, and the UK Cup Tasting Championship will form part of the 3 day SCAE event along with the South West Heat from the 2nd to the 4th February at ExpoWest.
Remember – YOU, or a member of staff has the chance to represent the UK, in London, think of the boost for your business!
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