We had an amazing time at the SA AeroPress Challenge 2023 where the semi-finalists had the opportunity to brew their recipes for the judges live at Creative Coffee Week.
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The competition was open to enthusiasts around the country. We had 3 semi-finalists travel from out of town, thank you to Isak Potgieter, Kevin Simon and Vuyo Dube (pictured below) for coming to be part of the action with us.
L-R: Iain (Coffee Mag) with competitors Kevin Simon (JHB), Isak Potgieter (Cape Town), Vuyo Dube (Cape Town) and Mel (Coffee Mag)
This competition always brings the vibes! So much fun and determined not to take itself too seriously, it is a highlight of the coffee calendar!
While it might be the last year we institute the surrogate barista format at Finals, it was certainly entertaining and our baristas take the role very seriously!
In the end our esteemed judges, Nina Rimpl, David Coleman and Alessandro Morrico agreed that the winning recipe belonged to Johann van der Merwe brewed on stage by Nolwazi Lekuba.
Johann (Nolwazi Lekuba) was even in tears of joy at the win! Congratulations to you both!
Thank you to the Team from MoreFlavour that made this competition possible and to all our sponsors including Humble Coffee, RedEspresso, La Marzocco SA, BWT water+more, Morrico Imports and Macap Grinders, Baratza, Timemore and Wacaco!
One of our favourite stories of the SA AeroPress Challenge is that of Vuyo Dube who placed 3rd overall!
This young barista made the effort to travel all the way from Cape Town by bus for 24 hours to be part of the SA AeroPress Challenge and he also volunteered his time at Creative Coffee Week. It is difficult to start from scratch, not knowing anyone in the industry and we hope that through this experience we can change that. He is looking for a full time position in Cape Town and if anyone needs a recommendation, please chat to us! He aspires to become an AST trainer and he obviously has the drive and ambition to get involved.
It’s the kind of spirit we love to see in the community. And we hope he will welcomed
Thank you to all the amazing sponsors who made this event possible and congratulations to the Top 3 and the winner of the Bonus Red Espresso AeroPress Challenge, Theressa Glover of Theressa Coffee Roastery!
WINNER: Johann van der Merwe (represented by Nolwazi Lekuba)
2nd: Edohan Oosthuizen
3rd: Vuyo Dube
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