Barista Awards 05 Regional Heat Winners Announced

Robert Harris National Barista Awards 2005 Regional Heat Winners Announced

The Robert Harris National Barista central North Island regional heat winners were announced last night. Michelle Rutherford from Robert Harris Café Taupo came in first place and Jessica Miskin from Sugarloaf Cafe came in a close second at the regional heats at East Pier yesterday. The top two will now go on to compete for the ultimate title of ‘2005 Robert Harris National Barista of the Year’ who will then go on to represent New Zealand at the World Barista Championships in Switzerland in 2006.

Michael Guy, Chief Judge and Publishing Editor of Café Magazine says, “It was really exciting to be part of the Robert Harris Barista Awards first time in Napier, the standard of competition was great, I am sure the chance to compete locally was a huge draw card for many new entries. Michelle really stood out as the winner and Jessica closely placed behind her with her striking attention to detail.”

Competitors from around the central North Island competed at the regional heat, the third of four regional heats across the country. With one more regions yet to come; in Auckland on August 23rd at the Culinary Fare. Michelle and Jessica will go on to compete against the other six finalists at the Grand Final at the Wildbean Coffee Festival in Taupo on September 23rd.

The World Barista Championships (WBC) will only accept the highest standard of contestants and to qualify; each Barista must have won an accredited National Barista Competition. In New Zealand, the Robert Harris National Barista Awards is the only WBC accredited Barista competition and they incorporate the WBC format and standards.

During the regional heats, each participant is required to make four espressos, lattes and cappuccinos. 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. The National Barista Awards are sponsored by a number of highly regarded companies and associations including; Robert Harris, Anchor, Faema, Da Vinci, Hospitality Standards Industry and The Restaurant Association of New Zealand.

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 more information checkout www.nationalbaristaawards.co.nz

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