What a weekend!
This year’s champs were yet another step up from last year in terms of the standard put forward by the competitors. The commitment, passion, knowledge, creativity and professionalism demonstrated across three days was truly inspiring. The Huhtamaki NZ Barista Championship was the most tightly contested in history. See the scores below.
This year we hosted the champs in the Mac’s function centre, on Wellington’s waterfront. This proved to be an space very well suited to us. Baristas had plenty of space to prepare, the audience were right up close to all the action, and our event partners were within earshot of the action and able to engage with public, competitors and audience members alike.
As ever, our events are made possible thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, judges and of course our sponsors. Huge thanks to all of them.
Our 2016 Huhtamaki NZ Barista Champion is Sam Low!
Coming into the Champs as the reigning Meadow Fresh NZ Latte Art Champs, and runner up in the 2015 Huhtamaki NZ Barista Champs Sam was certainly a hot prospect to take the title. But, anything can happen and putting everything together on the day is a huge challenge. This year’s competition was stiff. In fact, it was the most tightly contested contest in the history of this Championship. We don’t normally post the scores, but during announcements the crowd was aghast. This has to be seen to be believed. Each of our finalists is worthy of being at the World Barista Championships, but there could be only one champ…
Champion – Sam Low – 550pts
Runner up Hanna Teramoto – 548.5 pts
3rd Dove Chen – 548 pts
4th Christine Heesun Lee – 525 pts
5th Elle Hendricks – 516.5 – pts
6th Allan Bruce -482 pts
Huge thanks for the support from our Championship partners – Huhtamaki, Meadow Fresh, Victoria Arduino c/Atomic Coffee Roasters, Cafetto, AMC Roastery Supply NZ, ACME & Co and Pullman Tampers c/Atomic Coffee Roasters.
We wish our champions all the best for their road to the world championships. They not only have the hopes of a nation with them, they also have the expertise of the industry’s best, at their disposal.
More photos HERE thanks to Nick Kean
