We caught up with Euan Adriaanse the newly minted SCASA Western Cape Barista Champion for 2025! Next up is the Gauteng competition this weekend! Good luck to all competitors!
Congratulations! Was this your first coffee competition? And how did it feel on stage?
Thank you so much! Yes this was my first competition. Surprisingly on stage I felt calm. The nerves I had during preparation turned into excitement to compete. So when I got on stage ready to showcase my set.
How did you train? Specifically for the 2 drink format or looking forward to Nationals format?
The first task during the preparation process was finding the right coffee. Once that was done it was all about getting that coffee to taste as good as possible. Luckily for me I had Leigh and Winston in my corner. So their experience helped a lot.
For the regionals we focused specifically on the 2 drink format and built my set around showcasing the espresso and milk drinks as best as I could, given the time limits for the regional competition.
What coffee did you use and why?
I used a Cedar coffee from Panama. Specifically a pacamara varietal from Panama.
I used this coffee because it tasted amazing firstly, but also because it had a story behind it that I could use for my set.
The coffee comes from a family owned farm in Panama called La Vanguardia.
I got to meet the family at the end of 2024 and interact with them and see on a more personal level how much care and love goes into their business. So I tried my best to showcase that same care in making the coffee and showcasing it at the competition.
How did you get into coffee?
I journey actually started in coffee through YouTube and buying coffee at different coffee shops in town.
I was a home brewer brewing coffee on my v60 and cheap hand grinder.
When it comes to making espressos - I only started making espressos when I started working at Cedar in the middle of last year. So my journey so far has been quite short but very productive.
What are your aspirations for competition? And just how competitive are you?!
Growth firstly.
I compete to learn and grow through the process of competing. Competing almost forces you to grow, you have to adapt and become better at what you do to compete.
I’m not a very competitive but I have to say, the thrill of competing is a great feeling.
What is like being part of the shortest Team in SA coffee aka Cedar Coffee Roasters :)
IT'S AMAZING. The Cedar team has been so supportive and imparted so much knowledge. It feels good to be a part of a team that wants to constantly be better and improve. Iron sharpens iron.
And ja, we make sure we always have a ladder at the roastery!!!
From left to right: Winston Thomas, Euan, Hee Ye Kim, Leigh Wentzel
