A Costa Coffee barista representing the UAE has won the international coffee chain’s Mena regional final of the International Barista of the Year 2009 competition held recently in Dubai.

Lourdes Roxas representing the UAE won the technical aspect and overall competition while Mohammad Kilani representing Jordan claimed first place in the speciality drinks competition.

Lourdes will go on to represent the Mena region at the Champion of Champions Global Final Barista of the Year 2009 competition to be held on October 21 at the Costa Roastery in Lambeth, London.

The current national champion baristas from the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria were competing for the title of Mena regional champion 2009.

The winning baristas demonstrated both their coffee making skills and knowledge of the coffee making process before a panel of select judges.

Contestants were judged on technical skill, presentation, personality and passion for coffee. In the final round of the competition contestants were tasked with creating their own unique signature drink which is judged on its taste, presentation and innovation.

“As any Costa barista will tell you, it takes a lot more than coffee beans to make the perfect cup of coffee,” said Lourdes Roxas.

“Before you pull a single espresso shot every barista goes through rigorous, professional training. They learn grinding, tamping, extracting, frothing, pouring and, most importantly, tasting. It’s a pretty hard grind, but it’s worth it. I’m so pleased to have won,” Roxas added.

Raisin Cash, Costa Coffee’s operational skills and brand standards manager said: “This competition is formal recognition of the hard work and talent of all our baristas working in our stores. Costa is a truly global brand and the winner of the International Barista of the Year competition could be any Barista from over 1350 stores in 25 countries.” – TradeArabia News Service