Name: Samantha Naidoo
What competition are you qualified for at Nationals: Barista Competition
Competition History: 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2019
Company representing: TriBeCa
Job in coffee industry: National Beverage Academy Head
Why did you enter this competition? To motivate and inspire the barista's I work with.
What is your favourite coffee at the moment? Rwanda Natural from the Bugoyi region
What has been the highlight of the journey so far? Connecting with the farmer that has produced the coffee I'm using.
Why do you think these competitions are important ?
It is immensely important to keep 'progressing' in the industry. Not only for us as barista's competing but for the future generation of barista's to come. To inspire, motivate and educate consumers and barista's on the future of coffee.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself (that has nothing to do with coffee)
I am ambidextrous!
If you could travel to any coffee producing country in the world, where would it be and why?
Nicaragua - To see how Rajuanse Estate is taking coffee into the future. To see the love and passion that goes into the work done not just in coffee but the community.
Name: Simnikiwe Mkhize
What competition are you qualified for at Nationals: Barista Competition
Competition History: 2017: KZN Regionlas 1st place
2018: WC Regionals 1st Place
2019: WC regionals 4th Place
2017/18: SA Nationals - I am not sure where I placed (if people ask, I say 7th :) )
Company representing: Rosetta Roastery
Job in coffee industry: Barista/ Woodstock cafe Manager
Why did you enter this competition? I entered because its a good way to push myself and challenge myself. It made become more knowledgeable about topics and new discoveries that happening coffee on a regular/ daily basis. And also because the environment is competitive- as much as it supposed to be fun, I enjoy the intensity that my peers exhibit which pushes me to be better (best).
What is your favourite coffee at the moment? ohhhhh, heat seat question. The Nicaragua that was recently launched as alt brew if with milk, Cortado.
What has been the highlight of the journey so far? (internal chuckle) uhm, from the top of the top of my head, winning regionals the first time in KZN. It was a high and surprise I have never expected, mostly because I was a 'no body'- so I thought. But that gave me a personal boost to never stop challenging myself. And most recently, being a cover girl (OMG, that was insane).
Why do you think these competitions are important? I think competitions are important because in a way they give an indication of where South Africa is in coffee consumption and production - as in roasting styles, experimentation with coffee beverages and understanding the origins and coffees we sell to the consumer. Also, its shows the level our baristas are, service and sensory and thinking wise.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself (that has nothing to do with coffee) well you know i have dolls from my childhood, but more recently I have started knitting, and than I stopped, but I started again, I will have a beanie by winter.
If you could travel to any coffee producing country in the world, where would it be and why? Ethiopia, aside from being known as the "birthplace" of coffee, when i first started learning about coffee Ernest (my sensei) would talk so passionately about Ethiopian coffee that i want be that land myself. Later, I realised that he spoke like that all the regions, but that is my first memory of it all.
Name: Leigh Wentzel
What competition are you qualified for at Nationals: Cup Taster's competition
Competition History: First time competing, Western Cape runner up 2019
Company representing: Rosetta Roastery
Job in coffee industry: Roastery Manager and Roaster
Why did you enter this competition? Main reason was to challenge my palate and put myself out there. It's also a great way to build our coffee community.
What is your favourite coffee at the moment? Favourite coffee at the moment depends on my mood, weather and time of the day.
What has been the highlight of the journey so far? Highlight so far has been getting the opportunity to compete at Nationals.
Why do you think these competitions are important? How these competitions bring everyone together with the same passion being shared. Every year we grow and learn from one another but ultimately its about having fun.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself (that has nothing to do with coffee) Interesting fact...not that interesting but I am left handed.
If you could travel to any coffee producing country in the world, where would it be and why?Costa Rica just because of their micro mill revolution that has changed their coffee and economy for the better. Its also a great holiday destination.
Name: Raymond Roesstorff
Coffee Company: Wiesenhof Coffee Holdings
Region: Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth
Competition Discipline: Barista
Previous Experience at Regionals and Nationals? 2018/2019 Regional Champion, 2019/2020 Regional runner up. First time national competitor 2019
What are you most looking forward to competing at Nationals? The experience, the knowledge and most of all to showcase my skills, commitment and growth in this trade and proudly represent the Wiesenhof Brand
What are your interests outside of coffee? I have quite a few hobbies outside of coffee. I really enjoy tinkering with computers as I’m a Certified Microsoft System Engineer and a PC and Network technician. I play a lot cue sport and recently started playing outdoor cricket again. I really enjoy the comradery of team sports.
How do you see the coffee industry changing in the future? In South Africa, I see the change daily. The consumer is getting more educated on coffee and more willing to pay for better coffees and coffee experiences. Us, as coffee professionals and suppliers, we need to keep up with these trends and adapt accordingly.
What has been your favourite coffee moment so far? Not one specific moment, but a collection of moments. Coffee has uplifted so many lives and I’m very proud to have been part of some of those moments. This industry has endless opportunities and I relish the endless learning opportunities coffee has to offer
If you could travel anywhere in the world for coffee, where would you go and why? I remember this question came up last year and I didn’t really have an answer, this year it is quite easy. I would like to go the farm where my competition coffee is being produced. This is one of my short-term goals and I plan on making this a reality in the near future.
Name: Kyle Grebe
Coffee Company: The Coffee Boys
Region: Eastern Cape
Competition Discipline: Cup Tasters
Previous Experience at Regionals and Nationals? The 2019 Eastern Cape regionals was my first time competing
What are you most looking forward to competing at Nationals? I’m really looking forward to competing on the national stage, feeling the atmosphere and the pressure, and also seeing legends like Winston Thomas and Kgune Dlamini compete in the Barista competition.
What are your interests outside of coffee? I’m a surgeon by profession so the human body really interests me, I also enjoy being in nature, hiking, camping, swimming
How do you see the coffee industry changing in the future? I see specialty coffee becoming more accessible to everyone in the future, breaking through socioeconomic boundaries. With companies like Woza Coffee and The Red Band Academy creating opportunities for disadvantaged people to enter the coffee community and giving them a platform to spread the love of coffee back to their communities. I believe that the coffee industry has the power to not only educate and empower people, but also create and build wealth for the African continent.
What has been your favourite coffee moment so far? My favourite moment so far has definitely winning the Eastern Cape Cup Tasters Competition. I’m still very new to the coffee community, but I plan to make many more memories.
If you could travel anywhere in the world for coffee, where would you go and why? I would love to travel around Africa, visiting farms in all the major coffee producing countries. I want to follow the process from bean to cup, and experience authentic coffee brewing process. I definitely want to go to Ethiopia.
Name: Chris Faragher
What competition are you qualified for at Nationals: Cup Tasters
Competition History: Runner up in the Eastern Cape Regional Cup tasters Competition 2019, Certified WBC Judge since 2018. Multiple head and Sensory judging since 2012.
Company representing: Coffee Boys/ Holiday Coffee Co.
Job in coffee industry: SCA Trainer, WBC Judge and Cafe Owner.
Why did you enter this competition? I wanted to further stretch my capacity in the sensory side of Coffee Competitions.
What is your favorite. coffee at the moment?
Guatemala Finca La Hermosa.
Pacamara Natural.
From the Acatinoga Regon.
Notes: A Super Boozy coffee with a really distinct heavy fizz. Medium Acitiy.
What has been the highlight of the journey so far?
In Competition; There isn't a particular moment, but I absolutely love the ability to connect with so many coffee people at these competition times in years past. There really is an incredible relatiinship that we all share through this beautiful bean!
In the industry, Being certified as an SCA trainer and WBC judge in recent years. Also opening my dream Cafe and Brand, Holiday Coffee Co. We get to share with all people, coffee lovers and others, the awesome potential of the coffee community and culture in SA!
Why do you think these competitions are important ?
To start, I have seen so many peoples livelyhoods changed for the better as they excel in these competitions. The oppertunites that open up to these competitors in the industry through employment is great.
And secondly, it has an incredible ability to bring our industry together.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself (that has nothing to do with coffee)
Errrrr.. Um.. I can make the distinct sound of a dolphin with my mouth. Iv tried communicating with them in the past with very little results... Haha.
If you could travel to any coffee producing country in the world, where would it be and why?
Réunion Island. Volcanic Soil, Rolling hills, The home of Bourbon Coffees, Good Surf and French food! Nuff said! Selfish I know.. but hey, why not?!
