And so it begins…
Costa Coffee’s “Barista of the Year” competition not only highlights the franchise’s presence in the Philippines, it is also the brand’s most celebrated event as it showcases the creativity and skill of its talented baristas.
Three baristas from different walks of java were chosen to compete among themselves in the art of coffee making: Gerard Golong, Gweyneth Gabay and Joseph Palmiano
Costa Coffe’s selected champion will proceed to the Regional Championships in Dubai. The barista will then proceed to London to try and become the “World Barista of the Year.”
The local competition was held at Costa Coffee in Eastwood City. Our baristas began their quest with an ultimate barista challenge: Each barista was given 10 minutes to present their own off-the-menu, completely innovative brews.
Golong presented his Pandan Sale de Italia, handcrafted with pounded lemongrass and pandan, a tropical leaf commonly used for flavoring. “You cannot taste the acidity,” Golong joked as he finalized with an enticing glass of his personal brew.
Our second contender was Gabay, an Ilocano woman with a knack for pastries. Her personal experience with dough gave her hands the grace required in making her Rose Spiced Ice Latte.
With knowledge of herbs, Gabay showed her innovation by combining rose petals and steamed milk. Apparently, rose petals, although unedible, are 6 times more potent with antioxidant than an orange. Who knew? She definitely did.
Palmiano concluded the first part competition with his personal brew which he named Fruttato Scintillante Caffè which translates to English as fruity sparkling coffee.
Palmiano, known by his close friends as Otep, came from a bartending career. He showed off his bottle-flipping skills (almost breaking a couple) while he crafted his brew. He finalized with a glass which appeared to be cocktail at first glance, having different layers comprising of watermelon syrup and coffee.
The event was then followed by a showcase of barista skill with coffee art and a timed competition with only two minutes for the coffee makers to make several cups of joe. The crowd also cheered for previous champions and other talented baristas such as Justin de la Fuente who had previously competed in London, impressing Costa Coffee “master” Gennaro Pellicia, a man with expertly insured tastebuds for an outstanding £10 million. An expensive tongue, indeed, but no less prestigious than that of our soon-to-be-champion.
One barista comes forth
The judges have deliberated, the crowd has been silenced, my coffee is now cold… but only one barista will come forth and be chosen as 2017’s barista of the year and that was no other than Ilocos’ pride, Gwen Gabay!
Gabay told the Inquirer that being a barista not only means knowledge in coffee but a definitive stance is also needed when it comes to a customer’s preference in coffee.
She said that most of the time, customers do not know or are unaware of what makes their coffee great. “We provide that kind of service to them. We let them know what good coffee really is and its difference with mediocre coffee.”
Pride, passion, personality
Coffee has always been a phenomenal beverage. Costa Coffee’s baristas and their passion for the art of producing quality and delightfully handcrafted coffee was a testimony to this as proven during their annual competition.
But what makes the Costa Coffee barista different from other coffee shops? Simple.
Pride, passion and personality are the mantra of every man and woman behind the counters of this establishment that is dedicated to serving excellent brews to coffee lovers.
Take your pick, people!
Will you be having a cup of cappuccino? Perhaps you’ll want an aromatic latte to go with your Belgian chocolate brownie? Whatever it is that your caffeinated hearts desire, Costa Coffee will be more than obliged to satisfy your craving and make you want more.
Dedication to crafting the perfect coffee does not come easy. Baristas learn the trade along with the technicalities it involves. From the method of pouring to the complicated process of brewing, mixing and presenting, the barista always finishes with a work of art that makes the sweetness in your cup not only keep you awake, but also makes you feel loved.
This is what Gabay, Costa Coffee’s third winner of 2017’s Barista of the Year competition and all other baristas of the franchise live up to in their service to the coffee populace.
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