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Coffee Idol

Cornwall based Origin Coffee has been selected for the second year running to host the Southwest heats of the ‘World Barista Championships’.
“Barista is a term many people haven’t heard of yet� says Tom Sobey founder of Origin Coffee “It is the Italian word for ‘barman’ but instead of working with alcohol the barista works with espresso coffee�

The barista championships involve the top coffee baristas from the Southwest regions hotels, restaurants and cafes wowing the judges with expertly made espressos, cappuccinos and a coffee based drink of their own design.

“The barista championships are a massive event worldwide generating a lot of excitement. In the Southwest however, the competition passes by relatively quietly� says Tom. “It’s a very negative attitude as the coffee industry in our region is big business and a major employer. We need to strive for excellence; there is a real art to making espresso coffees well and we need to value the people who take pride in being a barista�.

The Southwest Barista Championships are to be held on the 9th of February 2006 at the National Maritime Museum, Falmouth. The competition is open to all and the event is free to come and watch. The winner of the Southwest heats will go to the UK finals which are to be held in London in the spring. The overall UK winner will then go on an all expenses paid trip to compete in the World Barista Championships in Switzerland in May.

If you fancy yourself or know of anyone in your favourite coffee shop who makes exceptional cappuccinos, lattes or espressos then contact Hannabeth Johnson on 01326 340320 or email hannabeth@origincoffee.co.uk. Further information can be seen on the Origin website – www.origincoffee.co.uk in the news section. Places are limited to just 12 entrants so if you want to enter contact Origin now. Further information about the world finals can be seen on www.worldbaristachampionships.com


The 2005 winner was Edmund Buston from Bristol. High scoring entrants included Nicola Wilson from Popular Padstow Coffee Shop - Mary B who came third, Carina Mullen from Rick Steins Café, Padstow and Freya English from the Blue Snapper, Penzance.