Baristas vie to provide perfect coffee

Waiariki Institute of Technology hospitality student Awhina Kavana took part in the DE Master Blenders regional barista competition yesterday. Photo / Ben Fraser

It was serious coffee-making business at Waiariki Institute of Technology as students, staff and hospitality professionals competed in a regional barista competition.

DE Master Blenders coffee suppliers ran the event at the Mokoia Campus yesterday with 12 people vying for a spot in the national final in Auckland next month.

Each had 15 minutes to set up their espresso machines and practice before launching into a 10-minute judged time trial of making two short blacks, two cappuccinos and two flat whites.

"A lot of work goes in to getting the perfect coffee," judge and North Island DE Master Blenders sales manager Kelly Bain said.

"[Barista representative] Sue [Denton] judges their technical ability and I judge the sensory part, the taste and the look, and whether it fits the criteria."

Ms Bain said they were impressed with the calibre of what they saw.

"Everybody has scored really well, we're having to be quite nitpicky on little things now like not enough chocolate or too much chocolate, or the dome is too high," she said.

"For a great coffee, the extraction needs to be perfect, if you get the base right the rest should follow. The milk also has to be at the right temperature and consistency, it should be silky and smooth, you don't want any bubbles.

"An espresso shouldn't be bitter, it should be acidic but never bitter, if it is, it's been over-extracted."

Waiariki head of tourism and hospitality Bart Vosse said this was the first time the competition had been held at Waiariki in an open format.

He said it was a fantastic opportunity for students and staff to be tested and judged beside industry professionals.

"At the end of the day we need to meet industry standards and this gives us a really good gauge. It's about raising the standards and working collaboratively with those in the industry," Mr Vosse said.

Waiariki offers barista standard units in its two-year diploma in hospitality and part of its trade training academy course. It was also looking to offer a course for home enthusiasts.

"There is a massive demand for skilled baristas," Mr Vosse said.

"You go to any big city and baristas are very much sought after, they can earn up to $35 an hour. Coffee is in the top three trading commodities in the world and New Zealand has come a long way from the filter coffee and the bottomless cups."