The Quest for Coffee Perfection: Judges Prepare to Witness the Barista Battle
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.