The search is on for world-class Pinoy baristas

MANILA, Philippines – The pursuit for the finest quality espresso and beautiful lattes continue as the much-anticipated Grand Barista Cup takes center stage during the semifinals tomorrow at the main exhibit hall of World Trade Center.

The finals will be held on Sept. 26 from 3 to 7 p.m., and will coincide with the Asia Food Expo (AFEX) 2009, which kicks off on Sept. 25.

Allegro Beverage Corporation, the exclusive Philippine distributor of Expobar espresso machines, DaVinci Gourmet Syrups and Sauces, and Caffe Moak, is organizing the 2009 Grand Barista Cup to recognize barista as a career for professional growth, while at the same time helping develop world-class Pinoy talents. The event is also meant to help standardize the preparation and processing of espresso-based drinks such as café latte, café mocha, cappuccino and espresso.

Equal, the number one low-calorie sweetener brand in the Philippines, makes a return engagement as one of the major sponsors of the event. Aside from the Barista Cup, Equal has also been taking part in Allegro’s other activities to promote specialty coffee in the Philippines as part of its commitment to add flavorful sweetness to any hot beverage experience.

 “The Barista competition gets bigger every year,” said Leo de Leon, president of Allegro Beverage Corporation. “This year, we’re bringing in world-class talents to judge the competition. We have invited master roasters from Sicily, Italy, Singapore and the Philippines to further uplift Pinoy talent in the art of coffee-making.”

Heading this year’s panel of judges for the semi-finals is Manny Torrejon, president of the Specialty Coffee Association of the Philippines. Jill Sandique, recipe chef consultant of USDA; Giuseppe Ventura, export manager of Caffe Moak in Italy; and Anders Backstrom, export sales manager of CREM International, Sweden will join him as judges for the sensory part of the competition.

The finals will be headed by Ross Bright, a master roaster from Singapore, who has often been invited as head judge of the World Barista Cup. Joining him are Giuseppe Ventura, chef Robert Pengson, founder and president of the Global Academy of Culinary and Hospitality; and Anders Backstorm. Italian Ambassador Ruebens Anna Fedele has also been invited. Judging of the technical part of the competition will be under Len Reyes, coffee connoisseur and roaster of Gourmet Coffee; Manny Torrejon; and Ernie Mesina, coffee consultant of Magsaysay Institute of Hospitality and Culinary Arts (MIHCA).   

Now on its third year, the 3rd Grand Barista Cup will pit regional champion baristas from Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao as well as two winners in the just-concluded Philippine Barista Cup. Aside from the prize money, this year’s grand barista champion also gets an opportunity to represent the country in the Asian Barista Cup in Singapore in April 2010 and the World Barista Cup in June 2010.

This year’s competition will require the baristas to prepare three kinds of concoctions under the following categories: espresso, cappuccino, and the barista’s signature concoction. The finalists will be asked to strive for a harmonious balance of sweetness, bitterness, acidity and aromatics. They will also be asked to explain why they chose their particular coffee, the basic roast profile, espresso blend structure, major taste elements, the ingredients as well as the philosophy used behind the drinks served. Entries will be judged according to taste, presentation of beverage and the technical skills of the baristas.

An added feature to this year’s Grand Barista Cup is a special barista portion featuring Equal low-calorie sweetener in a unique low-calorie concoction.