Build Up to Nationals: Barista Profiles Two

Name: Byron Keet

Company/Cafe: Famous Brands Coffee Co

Competition History: 2013 regionals- 2nd place / Nationals- 7th Place..... 2014 regionals 1st place

Position at Regionals: 1st in Eastern Cape

Coach: Donovan McLagan

Coffee used at Regionals: Los Lajones Natural Process- Graciano Cruz

Best moment in Coffee: Working and meeting the awesome coffee professionals of SA!!

What would your one piece of advice be to aspiring Baristas?
Experiment and break the rules as much as you can! Taste different varieties of coffee and improve your palate.

What is your favourite thing to do (that doesn't involve coffee)? massive football fan and JOLLING:D

Favourite movie in the last 12 months? Neighbours

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Name: Wency Masawi

Company/Cafe: Ninos

Competition History: Finalist in KZN barista champs 2013, placed 15th at nationals (SA CHAMPS) 2013

Position at Regionals: Placed 4th at the KZN champs 2014

Coach: Bernard Muneri

Coffee used at Regionals:Famous Colombian supremo

Best moment in Coffee: CUPPING

What would your one piece of advice be to aspiring Baristas?
COFFEE IS LOVE AND IT BRINGS ALL SOULS TOGETHER WITH A SMILE!

What is your favourite thing to do (that doesn't involve coffee)?
spending time with friends and family

Favourite movie in the last 12 months? Wrong Turn 5

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Name: Musa Magwaza

Company/Cafe: Lineage Coffee

Competition History: Competed once before in 2010 but did not make finals.

Position at Regionals: 5th in KZN

Coach: Craig Charity

Coffee used at Regionals: Ethiopian Yirgacheffe

Best moment in Coffee:When I came 5th in this years regional competition.

What would your one piece of advice be to aspiring Baristas?
Find a passion for coffee and work out of that.

What is your favourite thing to do (that doesn't involve coffee)? Surfing

Favourite movie in the last 12 months?
I don't watch much TV, I would rather spend my time outside or working with coffee.

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Name: Matt Carter

Company/Cafe:
TriBeCa

Competition History: First year competing

Position at Regionals:
4th in Gauteng

Coach: Ishan Natalie

Coffee used at Regionals: Tanzania

Best moment in Coffee: Doing my Q-Grader in Ethiopia

What would your one piece of advice be to aspiring Baristas?
Never stop learning

What is your favourite thing to do (that doesn't involve coffee)?
Make and drink beer, Run, Hike, Ice Climbing, Diving, Gardening.

Favourite movie in the last 12 months?
Travailen

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Name: Romeo O. Chimunya

Company/Cafe: Bean There Coffee Company Cape Town

Competition History:
This is my third year of competing. In my first year, 4th in the Nationals. It has been an awesome learning curve for me and I’m loving it. Looking forward to this year’s Nationals.

Position at Regionals:
4th in the Western Cape

Coach: Cuth Bland

Coffee used at Regionals: Rwandan Kivu

Best moment in Coffee:
1. Becoming one of the top 6 baristas in the country
2. Teaching other upcoming baristas how to make coffee

What would your one piece of advice be to aspiring Baristas?
Consistency is key. Consistency and Cleanliness are the pillars of a good barista.

What is your favourite thing to do (that doesn't involve coffee)?
Running, Working out in the Gym

Favourite movie in the last 12 months?
Actually, I’m not a big TV or Movie fan. I spend most of my free time out running or in the Gym.