I’ll keep this short and sweet as I probably could go on for a while if let off the leash!

First of all, congratulations to Gwilym, you are a worthy winner and an excellent barista.

Secondly, I came 3rd! Woo-hoo! When I entered this year my overall aim was to get in the top 6, after arriving in Glasgow I realised that it might be a harder task than I had originally anticipated. The standard of competitor this year took yet another leap. I don’t think it was that anyone was particularly mind-blowing, it was just that nearly everyone was very good, at least in terms of presentation and technical skills. Sure, there were front runners, but I don’t think any of the front runners (and i’m told that I belong in that group) really felt that 1st (or even 3rd) place was easily within reach.

The final six presentations revealed virtually no visible mistakes, which I think has to be the first time ever. So to place in the top three this year, for me, was a similar achievement to coming 1st or 2nd last year.

So some quick thankyou’s to the people who made it possible…

Linda & Rod (my Mother and Father in-law) – These two coffee geeks really do need to be at the top of the list for being crazy enough to sit in the car with me for 20 hours to Glasgow and back. They were also responsible for all the back stage polishing, handing me bottles of water and general moral support!
Origin – Despite the fact that I am not a customer of Origin, Tom and Phil have supported me all the way to the finals, with free coffee, training advice, cupping, a K30 on loan and much more. I had to put a stop to things when they very nearly sent an engineer to install a 2 group in my kitchen!
Relish – I do claim to be a home barista, and virtually my entire set was dreamed up at home in my kitchen. Practise on a small 1 group machine is tough though and at some point every competitor needs to do a realistic, honest run through and I thank Relish for giving me the means to do just that! Also thanks to Hugo for lending me the ISI gun, tasting my shots and for general advice! Thanks to Sarah for backstage help in the finals!
Laura – Thanks for putting up with the equipment, coffee and mess all over the house for the last couple of months!
Mum – Thanks for devising the walnut and coffee macaroons, they went down well.
Ed – For help with music an general encouragement.
The Organisers – This years competition was better in every way in my opinion, from mics and live streaming, to backstage and support. Let’s keep pushing things forward.
Other competitors – For letting me do well and being so nice into the bargain!

There is a full flickr set available here.

EDIT: Almost forgot, i’ve embedded the video of my presentation if you haven’t already seen it…

One final thing…

A Wadebridge based barista has finished in the Top 4 for the last 3 years, no other town or city can say the same… long may it continue!

Will I compete next year?

Yes.

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