Name: Gerald - The Doctor G - Charles
Company: Rock And Roller Coffee Culture
Competition History: 2nd 2009; 3rd 2010 and 2013, 2013 and 2015 western cape champion of the world :)
Position at Regionals: 1st in Western Cape
Coach: Donovan J McLagan
Coffee used at Regionals: Nicaragua Las Carmalitas
Best moment in Coffee: there are so many - 2012 World Roasting Challenge so far
What would your one piece of advice be to aspiring Baristas? Taste your coffee, and experiment
What is your favourite thing to do (that doesn't involve coffee)? Hitting the gym!
Favourite movie in the last 12 months? 300
Name: Dale Fienberg
Company/Café: Home Barista
Competition History: 4x Jhb regionals , 1st time at Nationals
Position at Regionals: 6th in Gauteng
Coach: Johnson Sehoro
Coffee used at Regionals: Square Mile roasted by James Hoffman
Best moment in Coffee:
Pulling shots in Seoul with Korea's barista champion
What would your one piece of advice be to aspiring Baristas?
Invest in a good grinder
What is your favourite thing to do (that doesn't involve coffee)?
Travel the world
Favourite movie in the last 12 months?
Golden Chicken III
Name: Ken Ophen Machenge
Company/Cafe: Tribe Coffee Roasting
Competition History: 1st competed in 2012 WP Barista Champs. Was 4th but couldn't afford to go to Johannesburg for the finals.
Position at Regionals: 4th (Be consistent)
Coach: 5 Coaches - Bradley Juter, Jake Easton, Ferdie Juter, Nandi Nel, Marissa Pretorius
Coffee used at Regionals: Tribe Espresso Blend
Best moment in Coffee: In 2012, in my first competition, they were announcing the winners and when they got to the 6th place and my name was called I was so shocked and surprised. It meant that I was doing the right thing.
What would your one piece of advice be to aspiring Baristas? They must do the following: Smell, Practice, Taste, Love Coffee and, Learn Something New Every day.
What is your favourite thing to do (that doesn't involve coffee)? Playing competitive Pool or Billiards.
Favourite movie in the last 12 months? I don't go to movies, I like reality.
Name: Rodreck “Roddie” Nzirainengwe
Company/Cafe: Union Hand-Roasted Coffee
Competition History: 2014 & 2015 Western Cape Regional top 6, 2014 Nationals Raw Talent Award-winner
Position at Regionals: 3rd in Western Cape
Coach: Nkosi Ndhlovu
Coffee used at Regionals: A blend of 3 components in equal amounts: Ethiopia, Yirgacheffe, Konga washed; Peru, Balcones Especial; and Honduras, Cocafelol.
Best moment in Coffee:
A tie between cupping at our London office with our head quality control manager, Oli Brown, and some of the top guys from our (their) client Taylor Street Baristas, and watching / assisting Zane (my production manager) grind and make an AeroPress on the flight over to London.
What would your one piece of advice be to aspiring Baristas?
Have fun with coffee. There is a lot in coffee. Just enjoy the journey.
What is your favourite thing to do (that doesn't involve coffee)? Football
Favourite movie in the last 12 months? Robocop
Name: Lizo Songwiqi
Company/Cafe: Boardwalk Hotel, Convention & Spa
Competition History: This year it was my first time competing in the Barista Competition
Position at Regionals: 6th place in the regional finals
Coach: Angeline McLagan
Coffee used at Regionals: I used The House of Coffee. Its the South American and African blend
Best moment in coffee: My best moment in the competition was to hear that I've made the top 6.
Advice to baristas?
They must love coffee and enjoy making it. Because making coffee is an art that makes you feel amazing.
What is your favourite thing to do (that doesn't involve coffee)?
I enjoy playing golf when I'm free and reading books from my phone. And going to the Gym everyday
Favourite movie in the last 12 months?
I'm not a movie fan...but I love Good deeds by Taylor Perry even thou its more than a year.
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