Their prize? A chance to test themselves against the world’s best.
Melbourne barista Anthony Douglas was awarded the title of National Barista Champion at the Australian Specialty Coffee Association's National Coffee Championship event last week.
Douglas works at Axil Coffee Roasters, and his prize is the opportunity to represent Australia in the World Barista Championship – a global coffee event that is being held in Melbourne for the first time in September.
Participants in the National Coffee Championship event perform a routine consisting of three events – making an espresso, a milk-based coffee and then a coffee-based signature drink. Douglas’s signature cup included pomegranate, feijoa syrup, juniper reduction, barhi dates and honey.
“This award is a testament to the support and encouragement I’ve received during my nine years at Axil. Our boss Dave Makin is a two-time Australian champion, and he has been my biggest mentor. I’m really proud to be representing Australia and Axil Coffee Roasters at the World Barista Championship,” Douglas said in a statement on Axil Coffee’s website.
Gabrel Tan from Veneziano Coffee Roasters finished second and Ona Coffee’s Angus Mackie came in third.
The World Barista Championship will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre this year, from September 27-30.
Photography: Gareth Sobey
