For bragging rights and national pride the game is on!

Australia against New Zealand, back to back, 4 baristas aside.

The aim, to simulate a busy café operation with 20 minutes to make 30 coffees to be judged on presentation, taste and finally time. 

The race begins - Team members run to take the 1st of 4 beverage order cards, both teams receiving the same cards in the same order.  Each beverage card lists a number of drink requests, ranging from a short black to a caramel soy decaf latte, take away or dine in.

Provided with the same ingredients the battle is on. The first heat was taken out by the Kiwis who smashed out the coffees in record time. Never backing from the challenge the Aussies set their sites on the cup.

Both teams organize themselves behind the machines. David Makin and Zoe Delany pumping out the shots for the Australian team, across from them Matt Troughton and Andrew Feldon from the New Zealand team hot on their espresso tail.

Spinning the milk to silk and pouring the art was David Huang and Luciano Marcolino (Team NZ) and Scott Callaghan and Habib Maarbani (Team AUS). Head to head the teams raced through the order cards. Emma (Captain of team NZ) yelling from the sidelines ensuring the teams were working together to get their drinks out. Teams served the beverages in front of 3 guest judges Andy Freeman of Coffee Snobs, Brent Williams from Da Vinci Gourmet and Kevin Chilvers from Sugar Australia who tested each beverage to the quality café standard. The winning cup decided by a poker chip per judge!

Australia took a different approach in the second round by changing their team roles. This worked well seeing them taking a great leap ahead, winning cups on the table and outnumbering the New Zealanders, much to the Kiwi teams dismay! Setting up again and ready to go head to head to decide the winner, it was now anyone’s game.

Both teams presented great coffees to the judges so who would win? The poker chips were counted and NZ much to Emma’s delight took 17 of the final 30 drinks. Team New Zealand taking the win!

Now it’s up to the New Zealand heat later this year to decide who will keep the trophy, will it be New Zealand’s year?

For more 2010 Da Vinci Trans Tasman photos - Click Here

About:

5 of Australia's best baristas and 5 of New Zealand's best baristas battle it out to hold the title of The Da Vinci Trans Tasman Barista Champions.

This challenge is designed to reproduce the pressure of what happens in great espresso bars around the world.  Under time pressure, baristas must co-operate as a team.  

The three things which matter to espresso coffee customers around the world are:

1.    Great Taste 
2.    Great Artistry
3.    Great Speed

It is a RACE to serve the maximum number of drinks with as much art and espresso taste as possible.

Justin Metcalf
Justin Metcalf is one of Australia’s most recognised coffee identities.

His passion has led to an active involvement in the speciality roasting industry, where he has established a reputation as a Master Roaster. 

Justin’s high profile throughout the coffee industry has recently led to

the establishment of his own signature coffees distributed by Coles Supermarkets. Justin's goal is to empower aspiring barista's with a knowledge, skill and passion for espresso second to none.

Zoe Delany
With a smile that lights up the room, Zoe Delany has an enthusiasm

towards her coffee that is too hard to ignore. She believes that coffee is a way of life: the social lubricant that has allowed her to meet so many people from around the world who share her passion. Zoe has been a trainer for Michel’s Espresso and Sunbeam and now heads up the highly successful internet coffee business, Coffee Hit.  Zoe joined the Da Vinci Trans Tasman team in 2007.

David Makin
David is the five times, Victorian Barista of the Year, 2006 and 2008 Australian Barista of the Year and placed 2nd at the 2008 World Barista Championships in Copenhagen. David Makin has been a professional barista for 10 years.  After owning and operating several cafes he continues to work within the coffee roasting industry and has opened his own barista studio aimed at training the very best baristas.

Scott has progressed through many competitions to become a world champion Latte Artist, and then onto becoming Australian National Barista Champion representing the Aussies in Tokyo in 2007.  There was a time you could not use the internet without seeing Scott pouring his famous multiple rosettas in his cuddle cups.  Scott has worked for some of the best roasters in the industry including Toby's Estate and Dean Morgan and has been supported by great companies such as Espresso Company Australia.  He currently works under his own name through Sydney based roaster Belaroma.  He is still active in training and helping young baristas reach their passionate caffeine goals, and has recently become Australian Barista Champion for 2010.

 

Habib Maarbani
Habib graduated with distinction from a Bachelor of Commerce in 2004, however working with people was and still is his preferred occupation.  Currently a co-owner of Morgan’s Kitchen in Liverpool, Sydney he has been making coffee for 6 years enticing his customers with great coffee to create a feeling of community around his business. Habib loves the buzz of being behind the coffee machine and pumping out coffees to a whole load of regulars - like all his mates have come around for coffee.  

Auckland based Emma works for Atomic Coffee Roasters. She holds the title of NZ's highest ranking female Barista, she represented NZ in the year 2002 with a WBC ranking of 5th and is also a World Barista Championship Judge & Rules and Regulations committee member.  Emma is the key organiser for the New Zealand Barista Championships and a stalwart of our industry.  Some might say she's a big deal then, just don't let her know it.

A two time New Zealand Barista Champion, Luciano has represented NZ twice at the WBC, in Berne and Copenhagen, placing a highly credible 7th on both occasions. He works in his own cafe aptly named "Luciano" in Christchurch - no harm is self promotion! Luciano is again contending for this year's title.  This feisty little Brazilian is a born competitor, just don't go touch that hair!

David Huang
David is a long time competitive barista, having first competed back in 1860! Last year David took home 3rd place in the NZ Championships which guaranteed him a spot in team Atlanta 09.

Currently married to a La Marzocco FB80 and Kees Van Der Western classic, with a house full of grinders; Mazzer, BNZ and Compak.  Barista/Owner/Operator of Espresso Workshop, a boutique coffee roaster and espresso bar, is obviously suiting David giving free reign to his coffee geekdom.  David is again a national finalist in this years NZBC.

Andrew Feldon

All would agree Andrew is a big deal in the NZ coffee scene, quite literally. Satiating the mass of weary drivers heading through Sanson everyday is Andrew’s first priority but competition runs deep in these veins. He is a finalist in the NZBC 2006 & 2008, 2007 NZ Latte Art Champion, and 2009/10 NZBC Judge. Lurking behind that all round nice guy façade lies the competitive heart of a lion, stepping into the hallowed realm of the Trans Tasman Andrew is one to watch.