Bonnie Lam of The Coffee Dojo has won the New Zealand Regional Barista Championship in Ōtautahi, Christchurch. The competition took place on 10 March at C4 Coffee Co.
Independent barista Joshua Peacocke placed second, Joeyn Tan of C4 Coffee Co. came in third, and Tanner Hunt of Hummingbird Coffee Roasters placed fourth.
Bonnie won flights and three nights’ accommodation to the Aotearoa New Zealand Barista Championship, courtesy of Meadow Fresh. Nationals will take place from 5 to 6 October 2024 at Whirinaki Whare Taonga in Upper Hutt.
She also wins fresh milk for practice thanks to Meadow Fresh, a La Marzocco $200 gift card for competition supplies, a Cofinet $600 green bean voucher for beans for nationals and an Acme Cups $100 voucher for Wellington restaurant Kisa.
Similar to the main event, competitors were required to pour four espresso and four milk beverages. Participants had five mins to dial in and 10 mins to present.
To reduce barriers to competing, the New Zealand Specialty Coffee Association (NZSCA) introduced a sponsor category based on green bean sourcing. Many baristas now seek to roast their own coffee and the NZSCA aims to help them have access to the best green coffee.
The final regional competition will take place on 17 March at Mojo Featherston in Te Whanganui a Tara, Wellington.
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