Napier to host Barista Showdown for the First Time

1st August 2005

Napier to host Barista Showdown for the First Time

The grinders are whizzing, the milk is frothing and the blends are planned to precision. The Robert Harris National Barista Awards arrive in Napier for their very first regional heat ever held in the Hawke’s Bay region next Monday 8th of August at East Pier.

The best baristas from the central North Island will compete for one of two places that will give them the chance to become the ‘2005 Robert Harris National Barista’ of the year at the finals in Taupo on September 23rd. The overall winner will go on to represent New Zealand at the World Barista Championships in Switzerland in 2006.

The World Barista Championships (WBC) will only accept the highest standard of contestants and stipulate that to qualify; each Barista must have won an accredited National Barista Competition. In New Zealand, Robert Harris are the only WBC accredited Barista Awards and incorporate the World Barista Championships format and standards for their regional heats and Grand final.

With semi final competitions in Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland and for the first time this year in Napier it is assured that only the finest Baristas will be selected. Each contestant is required to make four espressos, cappuccinos and lattes. Every aspect of their barista presentation is judged from set-up, efficiency, consistency to aromatic profile and technique by an elite panel of experienced judges.

720 people have entered the Robert Harris National Barista awards since the competition started in 2000. With the addition of another heat in Napier for 2005 competition is guaranteed to be tough. The regional heats began in Christchurch on July 18th then continue today in Wellington and will move on to Napier August 8th and Auckland August 23rd. The two top scoring baristas from each region will then head to Taupo on the 23rd of September to compete for the title of ‘2005 Robert Harris National Barista of the Year’at the Wildbean Coffee Festival.

As the industries most respected and world accredited competition the Robert Harris National Barista awards are sponsored by a number of highly regarded companies and associations including Robert Harris, Anchor, Faema, Da Vinci Gourmet and the Restaurant Association.

The 2005 Robert Harris National Barista Awards recognises the best in the café scene and enables baristas from around the country to test their skills in a challenging and fun environment. These events are open to the public, so come and support our world-class baristas during the course of the championship.

For further information check out www.nationalbaristaawards.co.nz

ENDS

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