It’s that time of year again and I’m filled with a mixture of anticipation and self doubt. Competing this year will not feel as natural as it did last year, mainly because I don’t work as a barista anymore. It’s a strange situation to be in, having learnt so much in the last year, but at the same time being a little out of practice!
I have of course been using my espresso machine at home every day, this has given me the time and space to really focus on the coffee I am brewing. I have furthered my knowledge of espresso and of coffee as a product itself, I have also had a chance to explore more single origin espresso and tasted the best espressos that I have ever tasted.
Having judged a couple of cocktail competitions I now feel far more prepared to compete myself, in front of people who no longer seem quite so scary… though some of them look a little scary!
But. All of that is useless unless I possess the fluidity and confidence on a machine required to win the heat.
I have not touched a two group machine for six months.
I have not made more than two coffees in one go for over six months.
I have not touched a saucer for over six months.
I have not carried a tray for over nine months (I never used to carry them at Fifteen anyway!)
It’s true that I am placing pressure on myself to do well and to be quite honest, I would be upset not to do well in the heat, though this year there will be stiffer competition in the form of new meat…
For starters there will be the St Enodoc boys, Tom and Dave. Dave is a former bartender at Fifteen and has been putting in the hours in on the espresso machine at St Enodoc Hotel. Tom is a clever bloke and would geek over pretty much anything you asked him to – coffee is no exception. Then there is Jack the young pretender from Relish, who I know Hugo would love to see win, not least of all to make me look like an idiot because I don’t work behind a bar anymore! (You know it’s true Hugo)
So I guess i’m confident about my knowledge, but anxious about my ability to actually pull it off.
Oh and finally, none of this is helped by the fact that the machine sponsor this year is a manufacturer I have never heard of before – SanRemo. I’m going to reserve (anymore) judgement on the choice until I’ve actually used one, but early indications show them to be unstable and unpredictable… perfect.
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Who’s the pretender? I’m NO1 barista at relish these days. Be changing the name soon, maybe i’ll give you a job (i hear you need the practice)
You’re seemingly the only barista at relish these days!
There, there children.
Watch the cheek or I’ll be forced to enter again…
Tristan! I’ve got a two group. Nah nah nah nah nah!
Barista Boy, or should I say, Potwash Boy. When you’ve got a golden PF I’ll take the lip…until then…
If you have a spare hour or two in London you are welcome to play on our two group. I can even shout mean judgy type things at you as you do….
Thanks James, that’s rather more constructive than Hugo’s comment!
I was in London this morning actually, but thought it a bit short notice to drop in unannounced. I will however, be back in a couple of weeks and i’ll definitely pop in then… and i’d love you to shout judgy things at me using only the medium of ‘facial expression’!
So my offer of time on my machine not good enough for you then? Prefer to hang out with a bunch of World Champions with more toys and nicer coffee do you?
Fine.
Is this because we wouldn’t make you breakfast the other day?
Of course i’d rather hang out with them, but unfortunately there’s no chance of getting breakfast at their gaff at any time of the day!
If your offer is still open Hugo, I would love to come and make coffee for your customers for free on a weekend.
Of course the offer’s still there. I’ll even shout you that bacon sarnie I didn’t have the guts to ask Sarah to make you!
Though just to set the record straight the reason I’d like Jack to win the regional isn’t anything to do with making you look an idiot, it’s simply because he works for me and it would be good for the both of us. I think he’s a very good barista and I don’t doubt he pulls some of the best shots and pours some of the best capps in the country.
From experience anyone who has competed knows that there’s rather more to it than that though!