By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
WINNERS of the first barista championships in Geelong this week will compete for a spot in a Victorian championship.
The competitors gathered for the Geelong titles as part of this year’s Golden Plate Awards.
Australasian Specialty Coffee Association judges marked each brew on technique, presentation and taste.
Baristas from venues including Sticks and Stones, Black Bull Tapas Bar, Queenscliff Inn, Coffee Cartel, Winters and Sandstone Cafe had12 minutes to produce four espressos, milk-based and filter brew coffees.
The Geelong winners were Cartel Coffee’s Daniel Gooley, Van Loons Cafe’s Will Reed and Sticks and Stones’ Aiden Blake.
Association president Craig Dickson said the event was a new and exciting experience for Geelong’s cafes and baristas.
“We have joined with the Golden Plate Awards to introduce regional competitions because we really want baristas and their customers to gain a greater appreciation for all that is involved in the art of making coffee.
“We know this region provides grass roots competition at its best and we see this as where the next wave of champion baristas will come from.”
Golden Plate Awards’s Pamela Jewson said bringing the competition to Geelong was a “fabulous opportunity” for the industry.
“As part of the competition, winners will be named Golden Plate best Barista, represent Geelong Otway in the Victorian finals and receive specialised training from past best-barista title holders.
The Independent is a sponsor of the Golden Plate Awards.
