Rotorua's outstanding barista used to practise at 3am

When Grace Choi makes a coffee she's not just serving up the drink, she's delivering happiness, she says.

That's why the McCafe worker was named Outstanding Barista of the Year at the 2018 Rotorua Hospitality Awards on Sunday night. Choi has been a barista at McCafe for eight years and said practice made perfect.

"When I started I would work from 5am to 2pm. I used to practise from 3am then start at 5," she said.

Choi didn't know she had been nominated for the hospitality awards until she received an email saying she was a finalist.

"I was so happy."

Grace Choi was named Oustanding Barista of the Year at the Rotorua Hospitality Awards. Photo/Stephen Parker

Success isn't unfamiliar to Choi. In 2015 she won the New Zealand Hospitality Barista Championships, in 2016 she won the McCafe Barista Championship, then this year she placed fifth in the Meadow Fresh New Zealand Barista Championships.

Choi said she loved competing and making coffee.

"I think coffee is not just a drink, it's everything. People sometimes work hard and are down then when they drink coffee they forget about everything," she said.

"I think the price is not just for coffee but also happiness. So I have been sharing the happiness with everyone who enjoys my coffee."

Choi said making coffee sparked her interest when she first started at McCafe because it was like a science.

Rob Parry, who owns the Rotorua McDonald's with his wife, said they were thrilled with Choi's achievement.

"She's having a remarkable year. Placing fifth in the Meadow Fresh New Zealand Barista Championships was a really good effort and the hospitality awards as well, it's capped off a really spectacular year," he said.

"We believe we have the best baristas in town so it's nice for us to get acknowledgement.

"We're pretty happy and the exciting thing now is Grace is training people to be at her level."

What makes a good coffee according to Grace
- The correct amount of coffee beans
- The right temperature
- A good amount of foam from the milk
- A smile and passion for the craft