Caterer and Hotelkeeper – 32501

The Brasilia Barista of the Year competition has established itself as the professional coffee-making challenge to win, with a record number of entries received at closing earlier this month.

Organised in association with Caterer & Hotelkeeper and the subject of a special section on the Brasilia link on The Caterer's Web site, the competition will this year see seven finalists tamping, steaming and foaming their skills in the home of espresso. The final is being held just outside Milan, with a £5,000 prize at stake.

Winning the competition can deliver more than just UK prestige. Last year's winner, Thomas Polti, is in demand among major UK restaurant and pub chains to train staff, but is also doing extensive work in Finland, the world's top coffee-drinking nation.