Winners Named At National Barista Competition

29 June 2005

Winners Named At National Barista Competition

Karla Trass of BP Connect Dairyflat took out top honours at the Finals of the Wild Bean Cafe Barista Awards yesterday at the National Maritime Museum in Auckland.

The top 12 Wild Bean Cafe Baristas from around the country went head to head in a competition capping off a search for the top Wild Bean barista, which began back in May.

In a close competition Gerhard Volschenk (BP Connect Mt Maunganui), Carla Dais (BP Connect Bluemoon) and Nick Panapa (BP Connect Papakura MSA) filled the other top placings, and all four will now compete in the 2005 Robert Harris National Barista Award regional finals in July and August.

Wild Bean Category Manager Chris Moltzer says the Wild Bean Barista Awards showcased that their baristas deliver something special for Wild Bean Cafe customers.

"The standard our baristas are setting is just getting better and better. This competition always brings out the best in them and you can see - and taste ­ the benefits of their training," he says.

"Our customers have come to expect quality and consistency from our baristas no matter which Wild Bean Cafe they visit across the country, which is why every Wild Bean Cafe participated in the competition. The top four named today should be proud of their achievements ­ they've distinguished themselves in a field of 90 determined, talented competitors "

Moltzer sat on the judging panel at the Finals, with Michael Guy of CAFÉ Magazine, and Cherie Fraser of Cerebos.

During the Finals, the competitors' skills were judged on appearance, housekeeping, beverage preparation, time/speed and clean up.

ENDS

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