A Lake District coffee roastery has launched its first professional barista UK championships.
John Farrer & Co, based in Kendal, said the championships were designed to be a celebration of coffee and the skill of professional baristas, as well as giving them the opportunity to showcase their knowledge and shared commitment to the art of craft coffee.
The championships are free to enter for Farrer’s trade customers up and down the UK.
There will be a total of six heats at Farrer’s dedicated barista training suite at HQ on Shap Road, Kendal.
During the competition stage each of the six heats will see a total of four competitors go head-to-head for a place in the grand final in October.
Competitors will be put through their paces over two hours, judged on everything from how they set up their work station to their espresso skills.
The barista that receives the highest combined overall mark from all three judges will be announced the heat winner and go through to the grand final on October 2 at Farrer’s.
The judges on the day will be Beverage Standards Association trainers John Skinner and Martyn Herriott, in conjunction with Farrer’s general manager Rob Baines and head roaster Che Oxenham and trainer Michaela Hudson, who between them will decide who will be crowned the Farrer’s Barista Champion 2024.
The championship winner will received the winner’s trophy for a year, a Sanremo Zoe Two Group Compact Espresso Coffee Machine worth £5,000 for their business, the opportunity to make their very own coffee blend and a three-day City & Guilds Level 2 VRQ Course and hamper with Farrer’s coffees and more.
The runner-up will receive a certificate, a one-day BSA Level 1 Course, and hamper of Farrer’s coffee and tea-related goodies.
Each competitor in each of the championship heats will receive a goodie bag full of Farrer’s teas and coffees.
Rob said: “We’re delighted to be able to announce our first ever barista championship and reward the people who serve up our coffee on a daily basis. Baristas are a key component in helping us deliver truly great coffee each and every time – once it’s been harvested, processed, roasted by our team, packed and sent to the coffee shop it’s down to the barista’s skill in creating that final step to deliver coffee cup perfection.
“Every barista is a huge asset to any business serving coffee, it’s their job to ensure that quality and consistency is served up in every cup to their customers and we felt it was only right that we celebrated these dedicated individuals serving up John Farrer & Co Coffee each and every day by hosting first ever Farrer’s Barista Championship.”
For those Farrer’s trade customers wishing to enter contact [email protected]
