What: State of Origin Grand Final.
Where: Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre (Darling Harbour)
Event: Fine Food Australia 2011 expo.
When: Monday 5th September
Time: Heats every half an hour from 10am - 4pm
Who: QLD v NSW v ACT v VIC v WA
(every state V every state and the two highest scoring will face-off for the grand final round.)
This is billed as the "The Ultimate Barista Showdown" the format is an exciting, real-world, cafe scenario competition that needs great teamwork and excellent fast delivered coffee to win.
Some of the best baristas in Australia will slug it out in 10 rounds in this all day event.
Each team of 4 need to make 30 cups in 20 minutes and deliver it to the judges table.
The 30 drinks are secret until the teams start their time and get given the "list of orders". It will include a mixture of cafe style orders... latte, espresso, mach, takeaway caramel latte and the like. All espresso shots need to fall within a +/- time, 3 random drinks will be tested for temperature and some for taste, most for visual but the teams wont know which drink is being judged on what criteria so ALL of them need to be temperature, taste and visually stunning.
Judging is live, progressive and as simple as 3 judges putting a poker chip each against the best of the 30 cups from each team as they hit the table.
The audience can see the score progress as the teams go under the pump to get 30 quality drinks served in just 20 minutes.
FREE registration to enter Fine Foods if done online before this Friday else $30 at the door.
http://register.finefoodaustralia.com.au
(priority code: EDM13)
Fine Foods say: "Entry is restricted to members of the retail, foodservice and hospitality industry"... so as a CoffeeSnob member thats you because you do in-field product testing for CS!
This is a really exciting competition and relevant to what staff need to do in a busy cafe setting. 10 x 20 minute rounds then the final. Should be a great day out.
See you there if you can get to Sydney town and can get away from work for the day.
8-)