Tag: Barista Battle

The Barista Battle is a celebration of skill, but sometimes, the stories behind the competitors are even more inspiring. Shalom Chikanya, champion of the CoffeeMM Academy Barista Battle Season Two: Local Love isn’t just a master of coffee skills. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of passion, community and the unexpected places where we discover our purpose.

Coffee: A Path to Purpose

A period of unemployment led him to an unexpected discovery: coffee. Coffee training, initially undertaken for practical reasons, blossomed into a full-fledged love affair. This wasn’t just about mastering brewing techniques; it was about discovering a creative outlet that resonated with his soul. Coffee, alongside his existing passion for music, became a way to express himself and constantly strive for excellence.

Creating Community through Coffee

In coffee, Shalom found a vibrant community. Initially, he describes experiencing a “care-syndrome” in the barista network, referring to the unwavering support that he received from fellow baristas. This sense of community extends to his current workplace, Republique, a local coffee shop in Stellenbosch. There, he thrives in a motivating environment nurtured by Republique’s overseer, Mandi Hart.

But the secret ingredient in this recipe for success goes beyond just receiving encouragement. It’s about the openness to share dreams and aspirations. Shalom emphasizes the importance of expressing your goals to those around you. He’s a testament to the fact that by being open to support, opportunities often have a way of appearing.

Gifts We Discover: A Philosophy for Passion

Shalom’s definition of talent is refreshing and disarmingly simple. He believes gifts aren’t preordained abilities we possess,but rather the things we can do tirelessly, the pursuits that never feel like a chore. This philosophy is evident in his approach to both coffee and music. Neither feels like work, but an extension of himself. Through these passions, he connects with others, adding his own unique blend of artistry and purpose to their lives.

From Coffee Magic to Music

Coffee, in Shalom’s hands, goes beyond technical skill. It’s about the magic that happens between barista and customer, the shared experience over a steaming cup. He finds the same joy in creating a perfect latte as he does in sharing his music with the world. Both are forms of expression, reflecting emotions and creating a deeper connection. His upcoming LP promises to be a unique brew, offering a glimpse into his world beyond being a barista, the symphony of emotions that play out behind the coffee machine.

Inspiration Brewing

Shalom’s story is more than a competition win; it’s a cup overflowing with inspiration. Coffee ignited his passion and fostered a supportive community when he needed it. As he continues to perfect his craft and share his music, his journey is only just beginning.

Inspired by Shalom Chikanya’s dedication to continuous self-improvement, we are excited to see what comes next. His story reminds us that purpose can be found in unexpected places, and that passion, when shared, has the power to create something truly beautiful.

Rapid fire

Shalom’s Favourite Coffee: Pour-over V60, available at Republique

Shalom’s Quote for Dark Days: Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven”

Advice for aspiring baristas: “Never quit and always push through to better yourself. Don’t limit yourself, research more about the things you do and the things you want to do.”

Follow Shalom’s Journey here:

The smell of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of grinding coffee beans are about to take center stage at the much anticipated “Barista Battle” Season 2: Local Love! This prestigious event, hosted by CoffeeMM at the CoCreate Hub in Stellenbosch, will see select local baristas put their coffee skills to the test in three categories.  

The birth of a tradition: The inaugural Barista Battle

It all began on December 15th, 2023. The region’s finest ten baristas and coffee enthusiasts from across South Africa came together to battle for the trophies in the three categories at the very first Barista Battle event in Stellenbosch. The stakes were high: the winners walked away with a prestigious title, a trophy, some amazing prizes, and most importantly – new friends in the local coffee community.  The competition tested both coffee knowledge and technical skills, with the crowd ultimately deciding the winner of the best latte art.  This year, we’ve added a new Wildcard category where three baristas from the audience stands a chance to showcase their free pouring latte art skills.

Season Two: Local love brews strong

For our  Season 2: Local Love” 2024 Barista Battle this year, we’ve invited last year’s champion and seasoned barista, Rodney Christopher Swartz, to join the panel as a judge. He’ll be joined by Romero Meyer, semi-finalist in the SA Championships,  a multi-cafe owner and co-founder of BrewBetter, as well as Alhenrico Thomas, a three-time Western Cape Regional Latte Art Champion and a two-time National Latte Art Champion, a barista skills trainer at the Famous Brands Coffee Company and owner of Champs Musical Coffee Shop Production, on their quest to crown the next coffee champions.

To get an insider’s perspective on what makes a champion barista and trends in the coffee universe, we sat down with these coffee connoisseurs.  Here’s what they had to say when asked “What makes a good barista?”:

What makes a good barista?

Our three coffee connoisseurs all agreed that while technical skills are important when brewing a cappuccino, what really differentiates a great barista from an average one is constantly striving for excellence, coupled with a deep passion for the craft, and fostering genuine connections with customers.

“…after getting to train and work with many baristas, I have found that those who walk in humility, have passion for the industry/learning and care for people make by far the best baristas!” shared Romero Meyer, a well respected coffee professional.  Rico, another esteemed barista trainer with multiple years of experience in training baristas agree on the importance of the soft skills and emphasizes the importance of “…attitude, passion, and the willingness to get to know your customers and their favourite beverages…”  

Ultimately, people skills are as important – if not more important –  than technical skills when it comes to mastering the art of brewing a great cup of coffee.  Coffee is, after all, much more than a hot drink.  It is a universal language, an invitation for connection. As Rico, a barista trainer for over a decade, puts it, coffee has become a culture, a “...daily prescribed drug.“

Technical skills, however, is a crucial part of the coffee experience.  “Good baristas always strive to be efficient in everything they do and stay consistent.” says Rodney, a seasoned barista loved and experienced in the front-line of serving customers.

From cup to culture

When asked about coffee trends and the evolution of the local coffee industry, Rico adds that coffee is no longer merely just another hot drink.  It has become a culture.   This cultural shift can be seen in the rise of specialty coffee, notes Rodney. “More people are understanding and appreciating specialty coffee, leading to greater support for the industry.” explains Romero. He shares his hope for the future: “I’m excited to see the day where being a barista can be a sustainable and good long-term career choice. We still have a long way to go.”  The growing appreciation for coffee is a step in the right direction.

What do you love most about coffee?

We’ve delved into the ingredients of what make a great barista, highlighting the importance of efficiency, caring about the customers, and a deep passion for the craft. But what ignites that passion in the first place?  To uncover the drive behind their love of coffee, we asked our judges what their favorite thing about coffee is.

All our judges unanimously agree that there’s something undeniably magical about coffee.  It’s far more than just a beverage; it’s a ritual, an experience, and a tool for connection.  Rico  observes that coffee “… causes magic to happen when you consume it.” while Romero loves the fact that it brings people together.   “When we were still running a cafe, it was always so amazing seeing the new friendships that formed across multiple races, cultures and careers.. all over a great coffee!”

Rodney simply loves that it’s a drink for any occasion and a tried and tested energy booster, there for you whenever you need it.

Bean to belonging

Our coffee experts have spilled the beans on what makes a great barista and how the industry is evolving.  They highlighted the transformation of coffee from a simple drink into a vibrant culture that connects people across the globe. Join us in this movement and be part of creating meaningful connections through coffee.