Name: Winston Thomas
Age: 25
Region and Position: Western Cape, 2nd
Company and Position:
Origin Coffee Roasting, Barista
Coffee used at Regionals: Kenya Gathaiti AA
When did you start making coffee? Part time – February 2014. Full Time - August 2014.
Who do you most look up to in the coffee industry? Mr Lovejoy Chirambasukwa and my Origin colleagues Michael MacDonald and Jorge Kimbangla
Where is your dream coffee destination? Ethiopia
Why do you compete in these coffee competitions? Test my ability and coffee knowledge. Meet like-minded coffee nuts!
What's your favourite food? Mom’s cooking. Butter chicken, stews, you name it.
And your favourite beverage other than coffee? Tea and Whiskey
Name: Garneth Jaggers
Age: 30
Region and Position: Eastern Cape, 2nd in Barista Competition, 2nd in Latte art competition
Company and Position: Mastertons Coffee and Tea Specialists, Barista Trainer
Coffee used at Regionals: Genuine Antigua Pastoral
When did you start making coffee? About 2 and a half to 3 years ago
Who do you most look up to in the coffee industry? James Masterton
Where is your dream coffee destination? So many different countries and cities to choose from, they differ because of background and history, coffee or coffee equipment, butg because of what I have seen and been involved in to date in our country and my home town Port Elizabeth I’ll stick to South Africa for now.
Why do you compete in these coffee competitions? I love coffee and am busy building a future for myself in the industry, I love competing and I love coffee, I also enjoy teaching so I entered because it seems like a combination of what I enjoy doing. i also see this as a platform to a big contribution I would like to make to the coffee industry in the future.
What's your favourite food? Have to be a good old South African braai or a Salami Gorgonzola Pizza
And your favourite beverage other than coffee? Decaf coffee ☺ jokes, water or coke light.
Name: Sibusiso Ncube
Age: 32
Region and Position: Gauteng, Latte Art
Company and Position: Famous brands Barista
Coffee used at Regionals: one provided by scasa
When did you start making coffee? 2004
Who do you most look up to in the coffee industry? Father
Where is your dream coffee destination? Seattle, USA
Why do you compete in these coffee competitions?To show my latte art skills and passion for coffee
What's your favourite food? Steak and vegetables
And your favourite beverage other than coffee? Mango Smoothies
Name: Wayne Oberholzer
Age: 30
Region and Position: Western Cape, 1st Place
Company and Position: The Portland Project / Director of coffee affairs
Coffee used at Regionals: Ethiopian - Bench Maji
When did you start making coffee? 2008 at Colombo coffee and tea… And to think I was training to be a pilot beforehand.
Who do you most look up to in the coffee industry? Locally - Doctor G. Internationally - Gwilym Davies
Where is your dream coffee destination? El Salvador and Portland
Why do you compete in these coffee competitions? Its my version of a creative release. To be pushed beyond my limits of creativity. Along with the epic people that we meet at both the local and international coffee competitions.
What's your favourite food? Pizza… I can eat it all day….
And your favourite beverage other than coffee? Beer! Its so tasty… and sudsy… and bitter… and hoppy… and I’m going to have one right now!