AASCA Victorian Cupping - 20th Sept. Melb Show.

[andy]

Re: AASCA Victorian Cupping - 20th Sept. Melb Show


The final 3 is made-up of Tom, Toshi and Luca. All three scored 6 correct in the heats so we all know the final will be close.

[andy]

Re: AASCA Victorian Cupping - 20th Sept. Melb Show


David "brain fades" and lifts a cup off the table. This then becomes his selection and gets pushed forward.

[andy]

Re: AASCA Victorian Cupping - 20th Sept. Melb Show


The World Latte Art champion Con battles with CS Linda and Louise...

[andy]

Re: AASCA Victorian Cupping - 20th Sept. Melb Show


CS Nim didnt like my roast profile on that one so he spat it...

[andy]

Re: AASCA Victorian Cupping - 20th Sept. Melb Show


Coffee Academy Mel counts cups to make sure they are all there...

[andy]

Re: AASCA Victorian Cupping - 20th Sept. Melb Show


Seasoned cupper Luca knows the ropes...

[andy]

Re: AASCA Victorian Cupping - 20th Sept. Melb Show


CS Linda has her first crack.

[andy]

Re: AASCA Victorian Cupping - 20th Sept. Melb Show


David leans while he slurps to ensure he doesnt block the Site Sponsors signage.

[andy]

Re: AASCA Victorian Cupping - 20th Sept. Melb Show


pics, pics, lots of em

[hr]


Round 1.

3 cups in a set, 2 are the same coffee, one is different.
There are 8 sets of 3 cups per person (24 cups each x 3 tables 72 cups per round).
All you have to do is pick the odd one!


Here is a shot of cups as far as the eye can see.

[Dennis]

Re: AASCA Victorian Cupping - 20th Sept. Melb Show

Well done Luca and to the other competitors. Must feel strange to put yourself out there like that, sipping, slurping, and spitting, in front of so many onlookers. But, I think that Bertie Beetle would make it all worthwhile!

Congratulations to all the Sponsors and organisers of the event too. Im sure that putting something together like this takes a lot of hard work, good planning, and preparation. Its great to see the passion of people like Andy & Co., who promote the delights of coffee and bring a better understanding and appreciation to the masses.

[martybean]

Re: AASCA Victorian Cupping - 20th Sept. Melb Show

It was a premium bit of real estate set aside for roasters guild Luca. We got to the show after 2.00pm and by the time we got to the grand pavillion it was about 3.00pm, so I missed the main comp.But I managed to watch some members of the public have a go, one lady who was obviously well coached by Andy got 3 out of 3.
I picked up some very cheap roasters guild blend and a book called The Coffee Plantations of the Sierra del Rosario [1790-1850] for free with the purchase of 2 bags of coffee for $10.
Luca was behind the espresso machine as I first had a gig and I got an espresso for $2 and later on while we were getting tea [ thats the one you eat, not drink] I got a lovely Latte for $3 but Im not sure the name of the guy who made it. I think it was Tom, anyway he was doing the comentry during the general publics go at cupping.
Andy seemed very busy while I was there so didnt get to have a chat, plus a 12 yr boy wanting to do everything

[Dimal]

Re: AASCA Victorian Cupping - 20th Sept. Melb Show

Excellent result Luca [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Nice booty pack youve got there too 8-). Congrats to all the podium winners and everyone who competed, sounds like it was a great day... ;D

Mal.

[luca]

Re: AASCA Victorian Cupping - 20th Sept. Melb Show

A great show from Tom and Tosh, the former of whom won on 8 out of 8.

I cant say that Im was especially happy with my performance, but, as always, I had heaps of fun.  The whole thing was pretty laid back and it was a bit relaxing to get behind the espresso machine with Toshi, Nim, Steve et al.  I also ended up walking away with a whole bunch of loot, including a pile of green beans from ARC and a barista kit from Cafetto, who also saved me the necessity of having to go and buy EVO espresso machine detergent.  Actually, carrying it all home on public transport was somewhat challenging!

AASCA/Roasters Guild managed to get some primo real estate and heaps of exposure.  There must have been a hundred people standing around watching the entirety of each flight, as well as passers-by watching bits of it.  Cupping comps seem to be pretty decent spectator sports, even for people who arent that into coffee; the whole slurp and spit routine is pretty funny and over quickly, then the whole cup revealing thing is a bit of a tension-builder.  

Those of you that didnt show up missed out on some opportunities to get some decent stuff for free, or next to nothing.  Our big gun world barista and latte art competitors Con and Dave did some lessons and demos on the home machine, as well as manning the espresso machine to sell coffee.  When Con and Dave werent on, the dudes behind the machine were always pretty good.  I loved Toshis 3x rosetta in a takeaway cup, which was promptly covered in chocolate to make the cappuccino that had been ordered.  Andy also brewed up an extra round of drip coffee to do some cupping comp run-throughs with members of the public who had bought a bag of roasters guild beans.  The public comp was kept a bit simpler, with only three sets of three instead of eight.  The guys at cafetto thought that such a competition needed prizes, so each entrant ended up with a cleaning kit.  Not too shabby!  I think that the flight winners also got the bigger barista kit or Innys Espresso Quest book.

Big shout-outs are definitely warranted:

All of the sponsors for making the event possible (presumably I cant mention names?).

Ross for coordinating everything and emceeing.

Bruno, Steve and Martin for generally doing heaps of work on the show floor.

Our very own Andy and Linda for taking care of the logistics, with the help of Mick.  

Les and Jim for taking care of the roasting demos.

Dave and Con for competing, manning the espresso machines and doing demos.

All of the competitors, for making it an interesting, fun and relaxed competition.

Double thanks to Andy for roasting the filter coffee and Bruno (I think) for roasting the blend that was sold to the public.

Heaps of people helped out, so a general shout-out to anyone who I have inadvertently skipped.

Anyhoo, its about 11pm and as I sit back here enjoying a cappuccino, Ross, Bruno, Andy and Martin are back at the show grounds loading up all the gear!

Cheers,

Luca

[Jameskilby]

Re: AASCA Victorian Cupping - 20th Sept. Melb Show

Whoa, wasnt expecting that.... Congrats are in order then

[first_crack]

Re: AASCA Victorian Cupping - 20th Sept. Melb Show

I believe the results are:

1st Place - Tom Beaumont - Grinders Coffee
2nd Place - Toshi - St. Ali
3rd Place - Luca Costanzo - Freelancer