Healthy fast food franchise Soul Origin will host its inaugural internal barista competition on 23 July.
The store’s top baristas will compete in front of industry heavyweights in attempt to win the first National Soul Origin Barista Champion title.
Following several rounds of heats over the past three months, 43 participants have been reduced down to six finalists from Soul Origin stores across the country. The event will be run similar to the World Barista Championship (WBC) format.
Judging the event will be Ross Quail, an Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA) accredited judge, WBC Finals Head Judge and General Manager of Sensory Lab Coffee; James Fridley, ASCA accredited judge and cafe consultant; Muki Yeung, ASCA accredited judge and Green Coffee trader; Emily Oak, Chair of the New South Wales ASCA Committee; and Sam Taylor, 2015 Danes International Grand Latte Art Champion, barista judge and Soul Origin Coffee Training Manager.
The judges will be looking for excellence across a number of categories and criteria, including the creation of a signature drink.
“We recognise that coffee-making is a true art and we are proud to have created a platform that showcases our baristas and lets them show their talent by competing with each other,” said Soul Origin General Manager Chris Mavris. “Coffee culture is thriving in Australia and we believe our Soul Origin baristas are up there with the best.”
The event will kick off at 11am on 23 July at Stocklands Wetherill Park, Sydney. All are welcome to attend. Onlookers can enjoy giveaways, Soul Origin goodies and merchandise as they watch some of Australia’s most passionate coffee makers put their best brews forward.
