LONDON, UK – bartlett mitchell, one of the UK’s leading independent caterers, has announced the launch of its first-ever barista championship. The competition, starting on the 1st August, will include consist of two heats and a final, and will see competitors from across the UK battle it out to become the company’s leading barista.
Competitors will be assessed on their coffee knowledge, grinding skills, coffee machine use and milk preparation techniques.
Held at a bartlett mitchell site in London and a supplier venue in High Wycombe, the competition is structured in three stages; an espresso course, a cappuccino course and a free style course (where competitors choose a drink from their own cafe menu to present to judges).
The final will be made up of the top three performers from each heat and will take place on 2nd October.
Coffee is now a significant part of the company’s growth strategy.
bartlett mitchell has invested significant resource into developing its offer. Last year, the company launched Perkee, its own premium sustainable coffee.
Since then, it has sold over 500,000 cups in participating sites, making it the most popular coffee across its portfolio.
As part of a collaboration with Soppexcca, a Nicaraguan-based co-operative, the coffee was first launched during Fairtrade Fortnight last year, with the aim of providing customers with a unique, ethical and tasty coffee.
The competition, developed by Miguel Camara, bartlett mitchell’s coffee brand manager, takes the company’s investment in coffee one step further with the aim of developing and recognising the skills and talents of its baristas.
Camara said: “This competition has been put together to celebrate the baristas within our business. We know that being a barista isn’t just about making coffee anymore. It is really important for our baristas to take our customers on a journey of coffee whenever they serve them a cup.”
Wendy Bartlett, executive chairman, bartlett mitchell, added: “Our baristas are the final link in a chain that starts from the coffee bean, grown by our farmers. Our desire to create an outstanding coffee experience for our customers is underpinned by our investment in our barista training academy. By holding a barista championship we are sending a clear message to our baristas and wider team that excellent coffee standards are the norm at our business.
“We are grateful to Miguel for pulling all of this together and we’re very much looking forward to the event.”
Lin Dickens
