What do 7 days, 550kms of driving, 20kms + of walking, checking out some beautiful hot spots, talking to passionate people, consuming copious amounts of delicious nectar of the gods, the words Sunshine, Gold and Brisbane all have in common? Well do i have a little adventure to let you in on.
At the end of last year i was given an amazing opportunity to work alongside a dedicated passionate team of industry leaders and trend spotters who go above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to highlighting and supporting the hospitality industry and it’s community. With a deadline looming to find the perfect space to hold our AASCA QLD State Barista title championships we were very generously and kindly offered an amazing opportunity to team our championships up with a nationally respected and extremely successful industry expo. This was to be a match made in heaven.
Come Saturday March 15th 2014, Cafe Biz will shine their bright lights on the stellar city of Brisbane for the very first time. We are so very excited that Queensland Coffee Community and our AASCA QLD State Championships are to be partnered up with such an industry forward event. Hosting a barrage of Local and National hospitality and industry greats, alongside QLD’s passionate talents for the competitions, this really is a match made in Coffee Nirvana.
Not only were we given an opportunity to work as Queensland Coffee Community alongside Cafe Biz but I personally have been given a once in a lifetime chance to work as a team member for Cafe Culture as a QLD representative for Cafe Biz 2014. Of course i jumped at the chance, who wouldn’t want to submerge themselves into every possible brew, cafe, roast house, coffee on the beach opportunity from Sunshine Coast to Gold Coast in a few short weeks? I was now the #getpostered girl!
What a few weeks it has been. Starting locally a few weeks back i spent an entire day from 6:00am working my way around some of Brisbane’s top spot’s including but not limited to Cup Coffee Roasters, Bare Bones Espresso, Grinders HQ, Blackstar, LTD, Little Birdee, Veneziano First Pour, She Bangs, Blue Sky Coffee and more! From kalita pour over’s to delicious espressos, cold brews, in house blends to single origin escapes i exchanged posters and magazines for some of Brisbane’s finest samplings and top talents. The week peeked interest in some people who follow me on social media from around the world and local causing hash tags to run wild. #wheredoesstaceywork #iwantyourjob #sorryitsallmine. The second week of Brisbane was just as eventful and lead me to more hidden and not so hidden gems including Cup from Above, Ainsdale St Espresso, Dandelion and Driftwood, Elixir Coffee, Dramanti Roastery, DiBella Coffee and even an impromptu cupping for Beangree.com.au at the beautiful Puk Espresso. My inner Coffee Geek was running wild on caffeine and sensory overload.
Third week in and a big two days were ahead of me as i first travelled up to the gorgeous and majestic Sunshine Coast. The drive was effortless, and picturesque at times, and upon arrival i was rewarded with my first brew at the iconic Costa Noosa which consisted of a stunning long black in house followed by a soy latte adorned with a teddy bear on top to enjoy while i snuck a cheeky beach visit in (i was in Noosa it was a must!) As i sat with my feet in the sand, and coffee in my hand, i was so very excited to work my way around some of the best Sunshine Coast had to offer! Earthed, caffeinated and raring to go, the rest of my postering and visits lead me to not only some of the most beautiful spots on the Sunshine Coast but also the best brews in town! Among the visits were Clandestino Roasters, Little Cove Coffee, Sunspace Cafe, Little Lane Espresso, The Birds and the Beans, Pioneer Roaster, Via Italia, The Good Bean and of course some of my favourite faces at Lamkin Lane Espresso.
Day 2 saw an early run to the Gold Coast. Heading straight out to Palm Beach i was frothing for a brew (pardon the pun). Oh hello Barefoot Barista, just what the Dr ordered. These guys were pumping out the coffee and devilish sweet morning treats to a hoard of cyclists, early morning runners, walkers and just about every man and his dog in the area. With smiles on their faces and caffeine in their veins, these guys effortlessly went about creating perfect cups for their legion of early risers. With my takeaway in hand, and a Goji power Ball to compliment, i headed for a sneaky beach visit (yes 2 days in a row, again #wheredoesstaceywork!). Feet in the sand, coffee in my hand, again i watched the surfers glide along on the beautiful early morning surf and inhaled deeply whilst looking over my list of visits. Again i took in the beautiful energy and readied myself for a day of postering, chatting, sampling brews and meeting new and old friends. With places to visit such as Quest Coffee Roasters, Canteen Coffee, 52 Espresso, Blackboard, Kiva Han, Skull and Bones, Helena’s Espresso, Silipo Coffee, Daark Espresso and No Name Lane there is absolutely no shortage of fine brews, passionate Baristas and creative spaces to check out on the Gold Coast! The drive home finally allowed me to visit the now 5 year old and booming business that is Supreme Roasters in Yatla. Going from strength to strength this name is one to watch for many years to come for sure.
Fast forward another week and Brisbane CBD i had not forgotten you! With names such as Strauss, Gramercy, Uncle Joes Noggi, Toby’s Estate, Coffee Aromas Garden, Bean, Alens Espresso and John Mills Himself, one has no shortage of fine brews and world class Baristas within the CBD. Although the energy was far busier and more corporate within the city, the friendly smiles, warm welcomes and quality products were a fine reflection on the pride within our very own Coffee Community. The day was hot but the postering was well worth it.
As i continue on my postering and invites journey i would like to thank each and every business that has so far welcomed me into their space and provided me with an experience far beyond what i ever expected. I am extremely proud to be a part of this unique and quality conscious community that we have within QLD. The balance of camaraderie and healthy competition between the vast offerings of traditional espresso, manual brew, locally/nationally roasted, specialty blends and single origin offerings helps push the bar higher with each new face that enters the community. The continuous strive for excellence and endless industry self education within our beautiful state makes the fact that i have been given an opportunity to explore and highlight the magic that is our community even more exciting. I am ever so grateful to the hard working and wonderful team at Cafe Culture for this experience.
I look forward to meeting more faces, postering more places and of course being a part of Cafe Biz 2014 next week. If you have not registered yet i urge you to surf your way on to the Cafe Culture Website and register to be a part of one of the most exciting and industry forward events this year within Australia. Not only will you get an opportunity to check out Local and National industry professionals, witness Cafe Biz comps, industry leader discussions, sample some heavenly hospitality treats and meet some industry greats but Cafe Biz will also play host to QLD’s top talents set to battle it out for the Title of AASCA QLD Champion within the realms of Barista, Latte Art, Brewers, Cup Tasters and Coffee in Good Spirits competitions. The expo is set to host a barrage of talent, passion and top brews and i cannot wait to be a part of this exciting event.
So with only weeks to go until Cafe Biz 2014 have you been #getpostered yet?
