Baristas Prepare To Battle It Out

26 May 2006

Baristas From Across The Country Prepare To Battle It Out

Wild Bean Cafe is excited to announce its 12 top baristas in the whole of New Zealand. The announcement has come after six weeks of intense competition across the 61 Wild Bean Cafes throughout the country.

The heat is now turned up for the overall national final due to take place on June 20, at Villa Maria Estate in Auckland.

The 12 finalists consist of five regional winners, five high score winners and two wild cards selected by the judging panel.

And the nominees are…..

BP Connect Birkenhead, Helena Tweedie, Auckland
BP Connect Geyser, Jasmin Hawira, Rotorua
BP Connect Glendene, Anahere Minarapa, Auckland
BP Connect Fendalton, Lu Yin, Christchurch
BP Connect Flatbush, Cherune Howe, Auckland
BP Connect Mana, Evan Rafferty, Wellington
BP Connect Papakura, Nicholas Panapa, Auckland
BP Connect Pacific, Regina Etuale, Manukau
BP Connect Rolleston, Michelle Templer, Christchurch
BP Connect Southern, Kate McDonald, Dunedin
BP Connect Tristram, Claire Bishop, Hamilton
BP Connect Weymouth, Rehana Begum, Manukau

Wild Bean Cafe Category Manager Scot Graham says the coffee making displayed during the Wild Bean Cafe Barista of the Year Competition Regional judging rounds have demonstrated the staff’s commitment to serving the best possible coffee.

“This high standard has emphasised that our customers can confidently go into a Wild Bean Cafe and receive the best quality coffee every time. It’s also given those who exhibit that extra bit of talent and attention to detail the chance to shine,” says Graham.

“We’ve been extremely impressed with the standard our baristas are setting. The competition has showcased what can be achieved if you invest time into professional training,” he says.

Graham will sit on the judging panel at the Finals, along with Michael Guy of CAFÉ Magazine, and Cherie Fraser of Cerebos Gregg’s.

During the Finals, the competitor’s skills will be judged on the following criteria: Overall appearance Housekeeping Beverage preparation Time / speed Clean up.
The winner will take home the Wild Bean Cafe Barista of the Year trophy plus $1500 in cash and the top four finalists will go on to compete in the 2006 Robert Harris National Barista Award regional finals, which kick off in June.

ENDS

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