The Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE) is currently underway at the Melbourne Showgrounds, with the presentation of the 2016 Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA) Coffee Champions taking place on 19 March.
The presentation of the Australian Coffee In Good Spirits, Pura Latte Art, Huhtamaki Cup Tasters Championship and Brewer’s Cup will take place on the ASCA stage in the Grand Pavillion at 3pm on Saturday following the final of the Australian Barista Championship.
“If there’s one thing the Australian coffee community prides itself on, it’s our level of barista talent. The country has excelled in all categories of competitions in the past three years, particularly in 2015 with both Sasa Sestic and Caleb Cha winning the World Barista Championship (WBC) and World Latte Art Championship respectfully,” MICE Show Director Simon Coburn says.
The prestigious event, hosted by ASCA will attract regional barista winners from across the country, vying for the top position and trophy.
Each year the event draws huge crowds of supporters and onlookers who engage in the exciting format. The competing baristas must prepare four espressos, four milk beverages, and four signature drinks for sensory and technical judges to assess over a timed routine of 15 minutes.
The question on everybody’s lips is: who will replace Sasa Sestic as the next Australian Barista Champion?
Winning any of the Australian coffee championship titles is a barista’s ticket to the world. The winner of the Australian Barista Championship will fly the country’s flag in Dublin when Ireland’s capital hosts the WBC from 22 – 25 June 2016 at World of Coffee.
Watching the competitions and visiting so many diverse stands is hungry work. Don’t forgot to visit MICE’s Food Truck village with plenty of options to get you back inside the Grand Pavilion for more coffee tasting.
If your caffeine intake is too high, consider taking a small break to the Cake Expo. This event – open only on Saturday 19 March – will be conveniently located adjacent to MICE in the Town Square Pavilion. Coffee and cake is the perfect combination after all. Visitors to the Melbourne Showgrounds on 19 March can purchase a MICE and Melbourne Cake Expo bundle which provides general admission to both events for $30.
Don’t miss your last chance to engage in the country’s biggest coffee expo – MICE!
