BaxterStorey Barista Champion 2009
In a closely fought contest, held at IPC Media this week, our six best Baristas took part in the final round of the competition.
The winner was Joao Almeida from Barclays, Churchill Place. In the words of the Chairman of the Judges, Tim Sturk: "His performance was engaging, entertaining and well thought out; his passion for coffee and customer service shining through like a beacon!"
Joao took the judges on a coffee journey that culminated in his signature drink, the ‘Vera Cruz’; a combination of espresso and dark chocolate with a hint of raspberry. Accompanying the drink were gold bars, dark chocolate encased in edible gold leaf signifying the precious nature of the long fought over, sought after cocoa and coffee beans which at times in our histories have been more valuable than gold.
Congratulations to Rebecca Cannons from Associated Press and Ewa Skarbinska from Sun Microsystems who took 2nd and 3rd places respectively. All three will be travelling to Milan on a coffee study trip, sponsored by First Choice Coffee, as well as winning cash prizes.
Awarding the trophies, both Alastair Storey and James Hoffmann praised the finalists on their high standards of coffee making, customer service skills and the impact that the BaxterStorey Barista Academy has had on our business this year.
Well done to everyone who entered and who took part in the heats over the last couple of months.