Coffee Chain Challenge 2010
Cafe Biz 010, Australia – 02-03 May 2010
Melbourne’s Cafenatics win the
Coffee Chain Challenge
Franchises and coffee chains took centre stage at Café Biz 2010 to compete against each other in the Coffee Chain Challenge. This event has proved popular with coffee chains and spectators alike with its fast paced format designed to reproduce the pressure of what happens in great espresso bars around the world. Under time pressure, baristas must co-operate as the team continually juggles whether it is better to gain or lose artistic points, in order to gain or lose bonus speed points. Teams have 15 minutes to knock out 10 piccolo lattes, 10 regular café lattes and 10 designer lattes. Points are scored on taste, artistry and speed.
This year, each team arrived with a different strategy in hand. Cafénatics were there to take no prisoners, Michels selection of highly trained baristas showed they were serious and Hudsons and Krispy Kreme were quietly confident in the back room working up their secret ingredients for their signature beverages. It was inspiring to see just how professional and passionate these people are in what they do in their everyday employment.
Judges Kevin Chilvers, Emma Markland-Webster and Aimen Krayem scored each coffee on art, taste sampled the coffees at random and checked each batch for temperature and volume.
The first round of heats shook the nerves out with some fantastic results from the underdogs. Then, with Michel’s Espresso and Cafénatics finally pushing through to the grand final, Cafenatics could feel the threat of loosing the 2009 crown. At the last minute however, they managed to pull out all stops to once again take out the first placing.
Congratulations to Cafénatics!
The Coffee Chain Challenge provides opportunities for baristas from chain stores and franchises to become involved with the coffee industry on another level. It is a chance to talk to other baristas working in similar environments, to network and learn more about their chosen craft and rub shoulders with some of Australia’s most successful baristas who also attend Café Biz to participate and judge.
Thanks to all the teams who represented their stores on centre stage. A special thanks to the team members that travelled to Sydney to participate. It is obvious through competition such as the Coffee Chain Challenge that Australia is moving forward in the persuit of coffee excellence.
For more 2010 Coffee Chain Challenge photos - Click Here
The Coffee Chain Challenge
No one ever thought it would happen in a friendly arena. Normally the coffee chains have been competing against each other in a gladiator-type manner in a race to have the highest number of stores in the super centres of the nation.
At the Coffee Chain Challenge Australia’s leading coffee chains set the competition stage for a show of Barista skills. Each company will enter a team of three baristas who will compete in a new barista format that will relate directly to a real life coffee production scenario.
Centre stage at Cafe Biz 10
02 & 03 May 2010
Randwick Racecourse Sydney
Click below to download entry form and rules.
For further information please call (02) 6583 7163
Email: justeen@cafebiz.net
