David Makin is this years Aus. Barista Champ!

[luca]

Id like to send a massive shout-out to Dave Makin of Veneziano Caffe for his phenomenal effort in winning this years ABC.

Dave has been the Victorian barista champion three years running, so theres certainly a bit of history there. This year he has shown incredible determination, both in the way that he has practiced and the way that he has performed - especially in winning the Victorian Championships after smashing half of his signature drink glassware!

We couldnt ask for a better representative at the World Championships. Check out that determination:

[Framey]

Re: David Makin is this years Aus. Barista Champ!

Further congratulations.

Davids was a very polished performance. Thoroughly prepared and it showed.

Scott Callaghan was remarkably efficient. His routine was over with a minute to spare   so he spent the rest of his time making sure the rest of the work station was super clean.

Id love to have tasted some of the signature drinks.

[Framey]

Re: David Makin is this years Aus. Barista Champ!

Just a quick group shot of all who competed over the weekend.

[joe]

Re: David Makin is this years Aus. Barista Champ!

I saw the story on ABC News tonight, but caught only a glimpse of the machine he was using. What was it?

[Framey]

Re: David Makin is this years Aus. Barista Champ!

ECM was the machine supplier. They were using the Veneziano 2 group (A2)

I think Allpress opted out of supplying La Marzocco machines... not sure what the story was there.

It sounded like ECM saved the day by providing machines and techs for the various state comps though Im not 100% on that story either.

The winner also received an ECM Giotto Premium.

[nunu]

Re: David Makin is this years Aus. Barista Champ!

Congratulations to all the finalists. Hope David does us proud in Bern. I popped in and got to see the first 4 competitors, but couldnt stay for the finish. Id post some pics, but theyre a bit blurry (didnt want to use flash, and even supported, my hand was still a bit shaky).

For those who may have been there, I was the big bloke in the yellow shirt next to the window.

[Framey]

Re: David Makin is this years Aus. Barista Champ!

I was there from 11am till not long after the prensentation. I kept scanning the room wondering just how many CoffeSnobs and or CoffeeGeeks there were around me... lots Im guessing

I was the guy wearing the brown alt.coffee t-shirt sitting in the center toward the back.

I wish they had been able to use a projector with the camera feed being shown. There was way too much light in the room for that to work but would have made watching the competitors a viable option.

Id like to have been out the back bumming coffee from those competitors preparing backstage  

David Makin offered sample packs of his competition blend to the audience. He had about ten 250g (ish) bags that he kind of randomly distributed. Unfortunately I was not one of the recipients.

One of the competitors mentioned that the blend he was using contained 8 different beans  

The Northern Territory representative was a no show...?

[Framey]

Re: David Makin is this years Aus. Barista Champ!

Hey nunu is this you?

No


This one has to be it.

[nunu]

Re: David Makin is this years Aus. Barista Champ!

um...no, I was a bit closer, standing up around the pa speaker. Had a grey and black stripe across the middle of the shirt. Didnt know anyone behind me was wearing a yellow shirt. Im a bit shorter and thicker :P Im big, not tall mate.