Northland's best baristas rise to the top

What does it take to make the perfect coffee?
A group of Northland baristas think they have the answer to the age old question of caffeine lovers and showed their skills at the Vivace Northland Barista Competition at the Katrina Gordon Trade Show at Forum North, Whangarei, yesterday.
The coffee machine was running hot and the competition even hotter as the baristas lined up to prepare eight cups of coffee for the judges.
In the end it was Nigel Stowe, from Whangarei's Nectar Cafe who took out the Golden Bean Eccellenza Trophy for the cafe as the region's top barista from the establishments taking part. Second place went to Scott Nicholl, from The Teahouse Cafe and third was Jiaxin Ou, from Cafe Over The Bay.
Organiser Sharlene Decke, from www.hospotrade.co.nz, which runs the trade fairs with Katrina Gordon, said yesterday had been the 15th trade show and the standard of coffee produced was up there with the best.
The baristas, who ranged in experience from a few months to more than four years, had to make eight cups of coffee - two cappuccinos, two flat whites, two long blacks and two of their own "signature" coffees.
The baristas were judged on technical ability, sensory excellence and presentation.
Establishments that took part included, The Teahouse at Palmers, Nectar and Kingsgate Hotel, all in Whangarei, Cafe Blue, in Kerikeri, Waikokopu Cafe, Waitangi, Cafe Over The Bay, Paihia and the Waterfront Cafe, Russell.
Ms Decke hoped more baristas would enter the competition at next year's trade show.
More than 50 hospitality industry firms exhibited at yesterday's show, with everything from quality linen and furniture to fine foods and beverages on display.