The Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA) has announced the schedule for the 2017 competition year.
The competition calendar is as follows:
16 – 17 July
ASCA Golden Plate Victorian Regional Barista Competition
The Workers Club Geelong
90 – 92 Little Malop Street, Geelong, Victoria
29 July
ASCA Tasmania sub-regional event
The Stegg
138 Elizabeth St, Hobart.
(Winner gets free entry into one Southern Coffee Championship competition)
17 – 18 September
ASCA Southern Region Coffee Championships
Location TBC
8 – 9 October
ASCA Northern Region Coffee Championships
Extraction Artisan Coffee
7/3375 Pacific HIghway
Slacks Creek QLD
29 – 30 October
ASCA Western Region Coffee Championship
Little Italy by the Sea Festival, Fremantle
26 – 27 November
Central Regional Coffee Championships
Location TBC
30 March – 1 April
ASCA Australian Coffee Championships
Melbourne International Coffee Expo
Registration for all of the four main regional competitions will open on 1 August.
Please note, the 2017 Regional Competitions will follow 2016 World Coffee Events rules for each respective competition. Cups for Latte Art will continue to be d’Ancap cups used at last year’s nationals. ASCA will then use 2017 rules for the National Competition.
One of the highlights of the new schedule includes the return of the Western Region Championship to WA.
ASCA will be teaming up with the newest festival to hit Fremantle, Little Italy by the Sea, to provide an opportunity to display Western Australia’s and South Australia’s finest barista talent at the seaside festival.
“We’ve had some great feedback from Western Australia that they are keen to have the competition back on their turf. Teaming up with Little Italy by the Sea was a fantastic opportunity to make this happen,” said Brent Williams, ASCA President.
Little Italy by the Sea is about celebrating ‘La dolce vita’ by the sea with colour and pageantry, as part of the Fishing Fleet Festival Fremantle.
“Italy and coffee go so well together, we are excited to be presenting this prestigious competition as a central feature of our festival,” said Festival Director Nella Fitzgerald.
The festival explores the magnificence of Italian culture as Fisherman’s Wharf and Bathers Beach are transformed into Italian Piazzas reminiscent of Italian seaside towns. “It’s a panorama of authentic Italian cuisine, music, art and culture awaits,” said Nella.
Four scholarships will be made available to South Australia-based competitors and judges looking to compete in the event, covering the costs of flights to WA and $100 towards accommodation.
ASCA will also host a (sub)regional event will take place in Tasmania from 30 to 31 July.
Become a host
ASCA is currently accepting expressions of interest from business interested in hosting the Northern and Central Coffee Championships. For more information contact info@aasca.com.
Competition Scholarship Applications
Applications for interstate members needing flights to travel to any of the competitions can apply for an ASCA Competition Scholarship, which covers the cost of flights, and $100 towards accommodation. Applications are now open, and will close 28 July. Four scholarships will be open for each competition, available to both judges and competitors looking to take part. To apply, send through a letter expressing why you should be chosen to info@aasca.com
Any questions regarding any of the competitions, please email info@aasca.com
For more information visit www.aasca.com