Bartlett Mitchell launches barista championship
Independent caterer Bartlett Mitchell has announced the launch of its first-ever barista championship, due to kick off tomorrow (1 August) in London.
Competitors will be made up of baristas currently working within Bartlett Mitchell contracts.
They will be tested on their coffee knowledge, grinding skills, coffee machine use and milk preparation techniques.
The competition will consist of three stages; an espresso course, a cappuccino course and a free-style course and the final which will take place on 2 October.
The competition was developed by Miguel Camara, Bartlett Mitchell's coffee brand manager.
Camara said: "This competition has been put together to celebrate the baristas within our business. We know that being a barista isn't just about making coffee anymore. It is really important for our baristas to take our customers on a journey of coffee whenever they serve them a cup."
Wendy Bartlett, executive chairman, Bartlett Mitchell, added: "Our baristas are the final link in a chain that starts from the coffee bean, grown by our farmers. Our desire to create an outstanding coffee experience for our customers is underpinned by our investment in our barista training academy. By holding a barista championship we are sending a clear message to our baristas and wider team that excellent coffee standards are the norm at our business.
"We are grateful to Miguel for pulling all of this together and we're very much looking forward to the event."
Last year, Bartlett Mitchell launched Perkee, its own premium sustainable coffee in collaboration with Soppexcca, a Nicaraguan-based co-operative. Since then, it has sold over 500,000 cups.
Bartlett Mitchell was established by Wendy Bartlett and Ian Mitchell in 2000 to provide bespoke catering services to business clients in London and the South East of England. It caters at 85 locations for clients in business, education and healthcare.
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