Entries are now open for the MadCap Café 2012 Victorian Grand Barista Championship.
The inaugural event will be held 14 – 16 February at Westfield Shopping Centre, Fountain Gate. The open competition will showcase the state’s best and emerging baristas from cafés and franchise chains.
The Championship will double as the Victorian heats for the 2012 Danes Australian Grand Barista Championship in July 2012.
The top ranked barista from the MadCap Café Victorian Barista Championship will automatically be accepted to compete in the open heats of the Australiasian Specialty Coffee Association (AASCA) Australian Barista Championship, taking place at the 2012 Melbourne International Coffee Expo at the Melbourne Showgrounds from 4 – 6 May.
The winner will receive $2000 in prize money and a sponsored entry to the 2012 Danes Grand Barista Championship (GBC), to compete for the Australian title in May 2012. This includes flight and accommodation to Sydney.
Second prize will receive $1000 in prize money and $500 for third place.
MadCap Café is owned by Ermha, a mental health service in Melbourne’s south east. MadCap Cafés provides work opportunities for people experiencing mental ill health and aims to create greater awareness of mental illness in the community.
“A barista competition is a great way for trainees to get some self esteem, confidence and to get some self belief,” says Anythony Cheesman, MadCap Café Project Manager. “It gives them a sense of belonging and purpose.”
Contestants will be required to produce four espressos, four espresso-based milk coffees, four black or non-espresso type coffees and a latte within a 10-minute time period.
The Championship will be held under the Dane GBC guidelines and will be judged by Danes accredited judges.
The entry fee is $50 and must be paid by 22 January 2012. A $100 fee applies after this date.
Registration forms are now available at: http://www.madcapcafe.org and must be completed and returned to MadCap Cafe or Danes Gourmet Coffee registration by Friday 10 February, 2012 by 4pm.