The Search Is On for Philippine’s Official Representative to the World Barista Championship

Dec. 26, 2012 - PRLog -- MAKATI CITY, Philippines (December 26, 2012) --- The Association of Filipino Baristas, Inc., licensed national body of World Coffee Events to the Philippines and Espresso World, organizers of the inaugural Philippine National Barista Championship, are in search of the country’s finest Baristas to compete at the inaugural event, and to eventually determine the official representative of the Philippines to the World Barista Championship in Melbourne, Australia, May 23 to 26, 2013. Dubbed as the ‘Olympics of Coffee’, the World Barista Championship is the most prestigious coffee-making competition in the world.

The inaugural Philippine National Barista Championship takes place February 1 to 2, 2013 at the Megatrade Conference Center in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. The competition is sanctioned by World Coffee Events, organizers of the World Barista Championship.

“It’s thrilling to watch that Baristas continue to gain much-deserved recognition at all corners of the world,” says Cynthia Ludviksen, Managing Director of World Coffee Events (WCE). “The Philippine National Barista Championship will certainly elevate the role of Filipino Baristas. It’s very encouraging to watch Filipino Baristas share their expertise, passion and knowledge of specialty coffee. The WCE is also excited to welcome the first-ever representative of the Philippines to the World Barista Championship,” Ms. Ludviksen adds.

Preliminary Round to the inaugural competition kicks off on February 1 while the Final Round begins on February 2. Only one competitor per coffee house may participate during the Preliminary Round. The top six at the Preliminary Round will advance to the Finals and eventually compete for the title of 1st Philippine National Barista Champion.

The Philippine National Barista Championship (PNBC) encourages and recognizes professional achievement in the art and skill of espresso beverage preparation and service. During the competition, Baristas will prepare and serve twelve coffee drinks: four espressos, four cappuccinos and four original espresso-based signature beverages of their own creation, all within a 15-minute timeframe. Seven PNBC-Certified Judges, including four Sensory Judges, two Technical Judges and one Head Judge, will evaluate each of the competing Baristas.

The winner of the inaugural Philippine National Barista Championship will receive the country’s highest national honor for a Barista, a cash prize donation worth ten thousand pesos, a trophy, a one-year specialty coffee education scholarship donation worth thirty thousand pesos, and an all-expense paid roundtrip airfare and accommodation to Melbourne, Australia and will compete with over 50 national champions at the World Barista Championship.

The Premiere Sponsor of the inaugural Philippine National Barista Championship is Gourmet Farms, Inc. Additional details on the competition can be found at www.nafbi-philippines.org.


About World Coffee Events (WCE)

World Coffee Events (WCE) is an event management organization registered in Dublin, Ireland and founded by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) and the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE).

WCE is the premier producer of events for the coffee community worldwide. Its mission is to develop events that engage the specialty coffee community and promote coffee excellence.  The current portfolio involves competition events such as the World Barista Championship, World Cup Tasters Championship, World Latte Art Championship, World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship, World Cezve/Ibrik Championship, World Coffee Roasting Championship, and the World Brewers Cup, as well as show features such as the Espresso Bar and the Brew Bar. Visit www.worldcoffeeevents.org for more details.

About Association of Filipino Baristas, Inc. (AFBI)

The Association of Filipino Baristas, Inc. (AFBI) is a non-stock, non-profit organization consisting of Filipino professional Baristas and coffee aficionados dedicated to the preparation and advancement of coffee preparation. AFBI aims to position itself as the primary advocate and spokesperson of the Filipino Barista community and aims to create a community of Filipino Baristas as ambassadors of coffee quality and craftsmanship. AFBI is the licensed national body of World Coffee Events to the Philippines. Visit www.nafbi-philippines.org for more details.

About Espresso World

Espresso World is a values-based organization whose mission is to provide exceptional coffee education, training, and events in all aspects of the bean to cup chain in the Philippines. The organization is also the Official International Education Partner to the Philippines of the world's largest coffee trade association and authority on specialty coffee: the ​Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA). (http://www.scaa.org/) Through its partnership with the SCAA, Espresso World is able to provide a full range of globally recognized professional certifications for ​Baristas, Cuppers, and Roasters.​ Visit www.espressoworld.org for more details.