Hudsons Coffee has named its best barista and bean team! Yijun Yuan, from the Melbourne Central store, is the National Champion of the 2011 Hudsons Coffee Barista Competition; and husband and wife team, Adam and Allison DeVries, are the Bean Team winners.
After months of gruelling heats, the top three competitors from across the country travelled to Melbourne on 22 September to put their coffee skills to the test for a panel of judges and the chance to take home some steaming hot prizes.
After her success in the heats, Yuan kept her signature drink concept, the ‘Esparklingpresso’ containing sparkling orange juice, ice and pop rocks. The judges were impressed with how her chosen ingredients matched with the espresso and created a refreshingly balanced flavour, with an element of fun brought by the pop rock candy.
Adam and Allison worked together like clockwork and showed off their excellent technical skills to the judges. Through finessed teamwork, Adam and Allison highlighted what a great partnership they are, and their daughters were there to cheer on their parents.
The event was hosted by internationally respected barista, David Makin of Axil Coffee, and Lance Brown (Lion), Debra Knight (of Crivelli Fine Coffee) and Zoe Delany (Axil Coffee), comprised the judges line up.
Making quality coffee is serious business for Hudsons Coffee – the National Barista Competition is an annual event, spanning three months across six states. The competition recognises and rewards the company’s best baristas and encourages all staff to reach for the top … and the tamper!
