BeanScene Magazine

International Barista Competitions are a great opportunity for different cultures to come together and share great knowledge, skills and of course, great coffee. Vanuatu’s fourth annual barista competition was a brilliant example. 

Experienced latte art judge Alex Forsyth and I were invited to these islands as international judges, at the event that took place from 18 to 19 November. We arrived a few days early so that I could train competitors and help calibrate judges. On our tour of the tropical paradise, which sits between New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands, we were able to visit breathtaking resorts and restaurants in the town of Port Vila including Iririki, The Grand, Chantillys, Le Lagoon, Poppy’s, Du Peche Mignon, Chill, L’Houstalet, Melanesian and Eratap.

The competition took place on the waterfront of Port Vila harbour at one of Vanuatu’s most famous restaurants, La Tentation. This was the historic site of the old Rossi restaurant, famous from its prominent role during the trading days of the South Pacific.

You won’t be hard-pressed to find five-star cuisine in Vanuatu, with restaurants offering fresh food full of rich flavours thanks to what’s on offer in the fabulous, open fresh food market in Port Vila. With such a great food scene and a growing coffee culture, barista competitions are a welcome new addition to the culinary scene. The idea was the brainchild of Lagoon resort’s, Joanne Wade Poppy, who is also chair of the Vanuatu Hotels & Restaurant Association (VHRA).

“I was thinking of ways to draw attention to our beautiful country,” Joanne says of first coming up with the idea for the competition. “The event has become well recognised locally and this year the turn out to watch and cheer on favourite barista competitors was great.”

While the original intention of the competition was to highlight the café culture of Port Vila and the home of Tanna coffee, Joanne says the event has grown to be so much more. The local winner is now invited to Australia for further training and exposure to the international coffee scene.

Joanne notes that the sponsors, mainly the VHRA and the Australian Pacific Training College (APTC), Tanna Coffee, Air Vanuatu and Tourism Vanuatu, were vital to the success of the event.

During my visit, I couldn’t help but notice the overwhelming passion and enthusiasm of the competitors. These were dedicated baristas determined to improve their standards and display their skills and knowledge.

Wherever I went, I was welcomed with warmth and hospitality and was fortunate to have the support of local students from the APTC, who kindly provided transportation and help throughout the trip. Marc Warin, a trainer with the APTC, helped organise the event, looking after the schedule, and working tirelessly to ensure it ran successfully.

Competing under strict time limits, 30 competitors each presented two espressos, two cappuccinos and two signature drinks. First prize was awarded to Lorenza Tabiusu from Pentecost Island that sits a little way north of where we were. Lorenza works at Au Peche Mignon. She presented a delectable signature drink, served in a coconut cup and capped with an intricate caramelized sugar lace, inspired by local tropical flavours.

Second place went to May Bule from Chill Restaurant, while third place was awarded to Sandra Sany from Chantilly’s.

Christopher Piets, from Papua New Guinea, emerged the winner from the international side of the competition. Christopher, a student at APTC, showed great enthusiasm to learn all that he could about coffee.

Growing up in a family of six and raised by his mother who was widowed at an early age, Christopher told me that he learned early on that only by hard work could he achieve success in his life. Since the competition, he has returned to Papua New Guinea, where he is training others, helping to raise the benchmark in the café industry and assisting with the growth of coffee education.

Second place winner of the international competition was Pascal Gavotto, owner of the exclusive Fatumaru Lodge. Since his participation in the event, he has taken on an integral part of organising The Vanuatu Barista Association and promoting Vanuatu’s café culture.

Third place winner was La Tentation’s very own Nick Smelik. With a Dutch heritage, Nick approached the competition with a European understanding of the importance of fine cuisine and great coffee.

In our time at La Tentation we could see that the restaurant prides itself on warmly welcoming guests, who can enjoy a breathtaking view of the harbour, while enjoying the extensive menu.

Tanna Coffee, who generously sponsors the event, invited me out to their roasting house, an old historical Christian church, where I tried the A grade qualities of this Catimor species.

With rich volcanic soils, coffea rubicae has thrived in Vanuatu since 1852. The Tanna Coffee Development Company (TCDC) was first established in 1982 to assist in the development of the then newly independent South Pacific nation of Vanuatu.

Terry Adlington arrived in Vanuatu 12 years ago as a consultant to the government on their Tanna Coffee project and sustainable development. In the 1990s, rust disease had ravaged the plantations and the country lost most of its crop.

Terry’s expertise has helped enhance the farming of the hybrid coffee. Terry’s daughter Yasmine now works as Tanna Coffee’s marketing manager and serves as President of the Vanuatu Barista Association.

The plantation is situated 400 metres above sea level and with an annual rainfall of 2500mm it’s wonderfully suited for the Arabica Coffee. The coffee is grown 100 per cent organically and is currently undergoing certification through Certenz (New Zealand) as well as Fair Trade labelling through the FLO. 
Albeit a single origin, cupping Tanna’s brew unveiled good body and sweet berry notes with minimal acidity and therefore no reflux, proving very gentle on the stomach. With a smooth buttery texture and a sweet cocoa aftertaste, this is one of the most addictive single origins I have cupped. I am convinced it has medicinal properties, as I was feeling at my best drinking it.

This year’s competition is scheduled to take place at the same spectacular venue, La Tentation, from 12 to 13 November. Baristas and coffee lovers from around the world should circle this date in their calendar.

For more information on the competition email Joanne Wade
poppys_admin@vanuatu.com.vu.
For more information on Tanna Coffee visit www.tannacoffee.com