Barista Competition Gives New Plymouth Coffee Maker Chance to Shine

A New Plymouth barista is one of five national finalists competing for a place in a trans-Tasman barista competition final, to be held in Melbourne next month.
 

Chrissy Watson, from Muffin Break New Plymouth, has battled 35 other baristas from across New Zealand to make it to the final five, and now she hopes to travel to the Bean Alliance in Melbourne for the final.
 

The annual trans-Tasman competition sees Muffin Break baristas from New Zealand and Australia compete in regional competitions, where they are judged on quality and excellence in coffee preparation service.
 

Watson says she was inspired to enter the competition this year because she wanted to create a signature coffee.
 

“My signature drink is called orange overload. It contains Whittaker’s orange chocolate and orange curd with a shot of coffee and milk,” she says.
 

During the regional competitions entrants were each given 6 minutes to prepare an espresso, cappuccino, latte and a signature coffee, all under the watchful eye of expert judges.
 

But competitors were judged on more than just how their finished coffee looked and tasted. The judging criteria included preparation of their machinery and workstation, the technical skills of a barista, the sensory evaluation of coffee and their knowledge of the popular brew.

In addition, their passion for customer service also contributed to their final score, which was determined by the judges. Master Roaster and Foodco Coffee Guru, Fred Vains will judge the semis and finals.
 

Watson says interacting with customers has always been a huge part of her passion for making coffee.
 

“To be a good barista you need to have good people skills and be able to have a conversation with customers to make the experience at your store personal.  You need to be able to smile,” says Watson
 

The Muffin Break Barista Champion will travel to the Bean Alliance in Melbourne for the final. The overall winner will receive an iPad, a coffee machine and grinder for home as well as a $1000 Visa Gift Card. The 2012 Champion will be invited to participate in the Melbourne International Coffee Expo (all expenses paid) to be held over the 4th, 5th and 6th May.
 

Watson says she would keep her new coffee machine and grinder at home and teach her family what it takes to make the perfect brew.
 

“It’s always nice to pass your own techniques on to someone else to use,” says Watson.
 

For more information, visit www.muffinbreak.co.nz.