MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 26, 2012) – The Association of Filipino Baristas, Inc. is in search of the country’s finest Baristas to compete at the inaugural event, and to eventually determine the official representative of the Philippines to the World Barista Championship in Melbourne, Australia on May 23 to 26, 2013.
Dubbed as the ‘Olympics of Coffee’, the World Barista Championship is the most prestigious coffee-making competition in the world.
The inaugural Philippine National Barista Championship takes place February 1 to 2, 2013 at the Megatrade Conference Center in SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. The competition is sanctioned by World Coffee Events, organizers of the World Barista Championship.
“It is thrilling to watch that Baristas continue to gain much-deserved recognition at all corners of the world. The Philippine National Barista Championship will certainly elevate the role of Filipino Baristas. It’s very encouraging to watch Filipino Baristas share their expertise, passion and knowledge of specialty coffee. The WCE is also excited to welcome the first-ever representative of the Philippines to the World Barista Championship,” said Cynthia Ludviksen, Managing Director of World Coffee Events (WCE), in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.
Preliminary Round to the inaugural competition kicks off on February 1 while the Final Round begins on February 2. Only one competitor per coffee house may participate during the Preliminary Round. The top six at the Preliminary Round will advance to the Finals and eventually compete for the title of 1st Philippine National Barista Champion.
The Philippine National Barista Championship encourages and recognizes professional achievement in the art and skill of espresso beverage preparation and service. During the competition, Baristas will prepare and serve twelve coffee drinks: four espressos, four cappuccinos and four original espresso-based signature beverages of their own creation, all within a 15-minute time frame.
Seven PNBC-Certified Judges, including four Sensory Judges, two Technical Judges and one Head Judge, will evaluate each of the competing Baristas.
The winner of the inaugural Philippine National Barista Championship will receive the country’s highest national honor for a Barista, a cash prize donation worth ten thousand pesos, a trophy, a one-year specialty coffee education scholarship donation worth thirty thousand pesos, and an all-expense paid round-trip airfare and accommodation to Melbourne, Australia and will compete with over 50 national champions at the World Barista Championship.
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