I recently had the good fortune of attending the adventure that was the Gloria Jean’s Abundance Global Convention 2012. The convention took place in India, and I was invited as a judge for their Global Barista Championships. Held from the 12th to the 18th of October, it was a week of my life that I will never forget.
October is one of the best times of year to visit India and with plenty of sunny weather and warm temperatures, we were able to experience three different cities, New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. From the capital of Delhi, with its bustling markets, magnificent monuments and colonial past, to Agra to see the stunning Taj Mahal and then on to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, to discover why this is known as the Pink City.
Arriving in New Delhi: let me start by saying that no amount of carbon tax is going to change what is going on here! The first thing you notice about Delhi is the lack of tranquility and cleanliness. The smog alone makes you ponder the worth of the emissions schemes in Australia. You also have to be prepared for the noise; the car horn is a language here and albeit chaotic, it actually seems to work. Never again will I complain about traffic back in Sydney.
When we first arrived in Delhi, there were no activities planned for the day, so I took my life in my own hands, jumped into a tuk tuk and went out to explore.
My first stop was the India Coffee Centre in Connaught Place. Let me just say, it was not as I had pictured. The cupping room and bean displays were not as they are at home, but the conversation was about coffee, and that kept me satisfied for the afternoon.
The next day was the start of the Convention, and the morning began with the official welcome and Executive Chairman Address from Nabi Saleh. This was followed by a Keynote Speech from John Maxwell on the 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth.
The afternoon comprised a variation of activities. For the competitors in the Gloria Jean’s Global Barista Championships, it was all about practice. For the rest of us, it was again time to explore this amazing city.
We began our journey with a visit to the Red Fort. This place is extremely impressive, and the massive walls encase a myriad of buildings that in their day would have looked outstanding.
The following morning, we undertook the journey to Agra via train, which was a mind-blowing experience in itself! The sights from the train were both amazing and devastating at the same time, with views of the massive expanses of tents and shanties which make up India.
Agra is the home of the Taj Mahal. Built by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third and last wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the beauty of the Taj Mahal is very hard to put into words. We have all seen it in photos before, but nothing really prepares you for the actual sight of this magnificent building. The engraved marble leaves you awestruck, as does its actual size; it is absolutely beautiful.
Back in Delhi the next day, it was all about the 2012 International Barista Championship Finals. The competitors had been practicing feverishly on the machines, and the expectations were high.
With the support crews in place and the judges’ calibration completed, the competition was ready to begin. With nerves settled, the first competitor commenced their set up.
First up was Tahir Tasli from North Cyprus, representing Europe; he was followed by the representative from the IMEA region, Claude Johnson of India, Chris Patnaude of the USA representing the Americas, Suhaime Mohkta of Malaysia representing Asia and finally, Nathan Trebbin representing Australia and The Pacific.
The level of competition was outstanding, with all the competitors displaying dedication, technique and an undeniable enthusiasm for coffee.
As judges, we are looking at areas including preparation of machinery, workstation, technical skills of the barista, presentation of coffee and finally, sensory evaluation of coffee and coffee knowledge.
Competition judging is a much more difficult task than it appears from the outside. As you are viewing each of the competitor’s performance, you also need to be mindful of looking for a champion who has a mastery and craftsmanship of a champion barista, and this all needs to be shown through the select beverages that are presented in front of you on the day.
A barista champion not only needs to prepare and serve high quality beverages on the day, but they must also show a broad understanding of coffee knowledge beyond the drinks being served in the competition. This person needs to serve as a role model and a source of inspiration for others.
During this competition, these traits were shown in varying degrees by all of the competitors; however, the qualities being sought were best offered by Tahir Tasli from North Cyprus. His use of themed supplies, the incorporation of humour in his presentation and the inclusion of a signature beverage specific to his local produce was the deciding factor.
The competition was tight and the standard high. This is only evidence of the level which can be achieved with passion, dedication and drive. Congratulations Tahir Tasli.
So I came to India a touch apprehensive and have left slightly more humbled. I got to taste some great coffees during the Barista Competition, ride an elephant in Jaipur, have a cobra around my neck in Delhi and see some amazing buildings and places.
I am now back in Sydney, but will always remember my opportunity to be a judge for the Gloria Jean’s “Abundance Global Convention 2012” Global Barista Championships in India.
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