Dorking barista wins Costa's annual global competition
A Costa Coffee employee from the company's Dorking store has been crowned as the Whitbread-owned firm's Global Barista of the Year.
Gabor Kamondi held off competition from nine other baristas at Costa's London Roastery to scoop the prize. He won a holiday for two, including spending money, to a country with a coffee growing region, as well as a custom-made winner's uniform shirt to wear in store and the Barista of the Year trophy.
The finalists came from as far afield as China, India and the Middle East as well as Europe and six from the UK.
Kamondi's signature drink, Pick Mint, which is a blend of Costa's signature espresso with mint, inspired by his love of After Eights, helped the barista impress the panel of industry expert judges, including Gennaro Pelliccia, Costa Roastery technical manager and Charles Metcalf, wine expert and TV presenter
"I am absolutely delighted to have won," Kamondi said. "To be awarded for my barista skills and to win such a prestigious competition is amazing for me.
"Coffee is not only my profession but also my passion, and to be presented with this award, by leading coffee industry judges, partly due to my own unique speciality drink, is overwhelming."
Jonathan Scott from Carlisle achieved second place, with third place going to Elia Burbello from Cork, Ireland.
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By Daniel Thomas
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