Name: Sisa Mapetu
Company/Cafe:Handmade Coffees
Competition History:Am a 4 time Regional finalist and 3 times national competitor been competing for 4 years
Position at Regionals:I came 3rd in Eastern Cape
Coach:Myself
Coffee used at Regionals: Genuine Antigua from Guatemala
Best moment in Coffee:Surrounding and sharing my passion 4 coffee with people that love it the most
What would your one piece of advice be to aspiring Baristas?
Love people that come 2 have your coffee and make sure you have good attitude every day towards yourself and people around you because coffee is meant to make everyone's day perfect
What is your favourite thing to do (that doesn't involve coffee)? Educating myself about wine and cooking
Favourite movie in the last 12 months?
Long walk to freedom
Name: Dirk Maritz
Company/Cafe: Famous brands Coffee Co.
Competition History: 4th place at 2011 Nationals
Position at Regionals: 1st in KZN
Coach: None
Coffee used at Regionals: Ethiopian Oramia
Best moment in Coffee: winning Kzn regionals
What would your one piece of advice be to aspiring Baristas?
Learn the trade, then master it. The day you think you know everything is the day you stop learning.
What is your favourite thing to do (that doesn't involve coffee)
Play soccer, watch soccer.
Favourite movie in the last 12 months
Inglorious Bastards. I think that was 2013? Watched a lot of movies since 2013 , most of it, rubbish.
Name:David Coleman
Company/Cafe: More Flavour Brewing Co.
Competition History: 1st Western Cape 2014, 2nd Western Cape 2015,
Position at Regionals: 2nd in Western Cape
Coach:
Anyone who offers an opinion I respect. Thanks to Lovejoy (Origin), Gerald (Rock n Rolla) , Roddy (Union Hand Roasted), Mike (Origin), Zane Mattisson (Union Hand Roasted), Bilbo Steyn (Origin)
Coffee used at Regionals: Origin Coffee Roasting - Indonesian Whahana
Best moment in Coffee: Winning Western Cape Regionals 1st time entering.
What would your one piece of advice be to aspiring Baristas?
Grow your skills by developing your palate. Explore coffee (what can I sense?), don't judge (is it good or bad?)
What is your favourite thing to do (that doesn't involve coffee)?
Surf
Favourite movie in the last 12 months?
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Name: Chris Stander
Company/Cafe: Protea Hotel Karridene Beach
Competition History: Competed 2013 Regional’s
2014 Regional’s
Position at Regionals: 2014 – 6th in KZN
Coach: Pauline Leschinsky
Coffee used at Regionals: Single Origin Tanzania ( Uru Coffee Estate/ Sister farm of Machare)
Best moment in Coffee:
Getting the opportunity to visit Tanzania, Coffee farm called Machare Coffee estates in October 2014. To see where my amazing coffee that was used comes from
What would your one piece of advice be to aspiring Baristas?
Give yourself time to prepare – the best start thinking about it, and practicing it a good 6 months before the comp. Persistent practice is key to your ability to turn it on, on the day.
Read the judging criteria and research great performances on the web – it’s an exam really, and the criteria are pretty objective. Find out what they are. And find out what they mean by looking at videos of the best performing Baristas.
What is your favourite thing to do (that doesn't involve coffee)?
Ballroom and Latin Dancing (Been dancing professionally from the age of 16)
Working: I'm the Acting Food and Beverage Manager for Protea Hotel Karridene Beach, coffee is only my Hobby in my free time
Favourite movie in the last 12 months?
Circus de Soleil world away
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