Name: Tess Schmidt
What competition are you qualified for at Nationals: Cup Tasters
Competition History: Participated once before and won the WC Cup Tasters
Company representing: Sevenoaks Trading (Pty) Ltd
Job in coffee industry: Administration and Operations Facilitator
Why did you enter this competition? I challenged my colleague Mike McDonald to enter and he was reluctant so I agreed to participate if he did. It is a wonderful way to connect with coffee professionals and felt it was good marketing for Sevenoaks.
What is your favourite coffee at the moment? Gosh that is a difficult one – I don’t have just one at the moment.
What has been the highlight of the journey so far? Every day is a learning experience for me so the highlight is to learn more and more each day.
Why do you think these competitions are important ? It’s a celebration of coffee. A chance for the coffee family to get together and have fun, challenge each other and discuss all things coffee.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself (that has nothing to do with coffee)
If you could travel to any coffee producing country in the world, where would it be and why? I would say Rwanda. People rave about how beautiful it is and how friendly everyone is, not to mention the coffee quality.
Name: Christopher Abrahams
What competition are you qualified for at Nationals: Latte Art
Competition History: I’ve been competing since 2015. This year will be the 4th time I get the opportunity to compete at nationals.
Company representing: Ciro Full Service Beverage Company
Job in coffee industry: Senior Trainer
Why did you enter this competition? I am a latte art addict! I really enjoy pouring latte art and working on pouring using new techniques. I’d love to represent South Africa abroad again and show the world unique designs.
What is your favourite coffee at the moment? My favourite coffee at the moment is a washed Yirgacheffe from the Gedeo zone in Ethiopia. It’s been around for a while but I love how complexed the characteristics are and how uniquely good the coffee tastes through different soluble yields and extraction percentages, that are closely aligned to the SCA brewing standard.
What has been the highlight of the journey so far? The highlight of the coffee journey for me, was having the opportunity to compete in the WLAC 2019 in Germany.
Why do you think these competitions are important? I think these competitions are important, because they provide a platform for coffee professionals to present their skills to South African and even to the world. It is a great place to identify talent within South Africa. It also keeps us competitive and keeps us aware of what is happening in the coffee industry. It’s also a great place to learn from other coffee professionals and a place where you can be inspired by other baristas. Overall, I believe that the main objective of the coffee competition is to improve the standard of coffee within South Africa, by allowing baristas to compete and produce the best standard of coffee possible. This definitely seems to be working, looking back, there’s been a drastic improvement in the quality if coffee served in South Africa, as well as a huge change in awareness around coffee.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself (that has nothing to do with coffee) I‘m quite laid back type of guy and strangely enough, I also have a slight tendency to have a bit of OCD. I also enjoy playing PS4 …especially Fifa J
If you could travel to any coffee producing country in the world, where would it be and why? It would definitely be Ethiopia! As I love Ethiopian coffees also because I feel that it would be special to visit the country which is the birth place of coffee.
Name: Neil Gouws
What competition are you qualified for at Nationals: Barista Championships
Competition History: I have competed in 3 regionals and this will be my third nationals. Regionals 2017 (3rd) regionals 2018 (2nd) regionals 2019 (2nd) Nationals 2018 (2nd) Nationals 2019 (3rd)
Company representing: Origin Coffee Roasting
Job in coffee industry: I wear a few hats, I am a lead barista, head trainer and wholesale relationship manager.
Why did you enter this competition? I love challenging myself, barista competitions are tough but I have grown through competing and I have seen many other competitors grow as well.
What is your favourite coffee at the moment? It must be sharing a coffee with two industry giants Lem Butler and Maxwell Collona-Dashwood. That moment inspired me and gave me fresh perspective.
What has been the highlight of the journey so far? Personal highlight is Nationals 2019. I didn't get the result I wanted but I was ecstatic with the way my set went and I really connected with coffee friends that year.
Why do you think these competitions are important ? My regionals set was about just this topic. I love the challenge they present, they make coffee professionals better. Competitions encourage experimentation and innovation in our industry. The South African coffee community comes together around competitions allowing us to share our passion.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself (that has nothing to do with coffee) I love cooking, when competition prep gets a bit stressful you'll find me in the kitchen.
If you could travel to any coffee producing country in the world, where would it be and why? Ethiopia, who wouldn't want to go there. It's the birthplace of coffee and seeing wild coffee would be amazing. Plus the coffee is fantastic.
Name: Mpumelelo Adams
What competition are you qualified for at Nationals: Barista
Competition History: First time competing
Company representing: Mastertons Coffee & Tea Specialists
Job in coffee industry: Head Barista
Why did you enter this competition? During preparation, the competition forces the barista to perfect his techniques and learn about many coffees while choosing “the one”.
What is your favourite coffee at the moment? Kenya Masai
What has been the highlight of the journey so far? Qualifying for National while competing for the first time.
Why do you think these competitions are important? This competition promotes excellence in coffee. It is where Baristas can showcase their skills, gain education and is a great networking opportunity for coffee professionals.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself (that has nothing to do with coffee)
I love reading and listening to music.
If you could travel to any coffee producing country in the world, where would it be and why? I would like to visit Kenya. It has a unique coffee. Personally I think its distinct from other African Coffees
Name: Wency Masawi
What competition are you qualified for at Nationals: Cuptasters
Competition History: 2016 & 2019 KZN Champion, 2017 National first Runner up ,2013 to 2017 KZN top 6 finalist barista Championship, 2017 top 6 national finalist
Company representing: Tanaka Coffee / African Roots
Job in coffee industry: Barista Trainer (SCA) Accredited, All rounder
Why did you enter this competition? Keep up with the industry,push boundaries, learn and be a role model to other incoming coffee addicts
What is your favourite coffee at the moment? Natural Burundi Bugonza lot 11433...
What has been the highlight of the journey so far? Coming out victorious after experiencing some low points and challenges throughout the coffee journey....Never Give Up...Passion Above Everything
Why do you think these competitions are important ? It pushes coffee professionals to push boundaries and move away from their comfort zones , encourages New comers and also In recent years i have noticed that customers are even going extra mile to follow their favourite baristas and watch them competing around the country with best from other provinces, how is that for our industry?
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself (that has nothing to do with coffee) Mistakes are just an apprentice to achievement..I break a lot to fix a few😂 maybe a a lot in the near future.
If you could travel to any coffee producing country in the world, where would it be and why? Burundi, I enjoy the versatile nature of its cupping possibilities
Name: Thabo Kheleroa
What competition are you qualified for at Nationals: Barista
Competition History: I won Free State regional championships in 2018, and came second in the regionals in 2019 behind my friend Stevo Kuhn. In 2019 I competed in the nationals for the first time and failed to qualify for the top 6. This year I hope to improve and learn more.
Company representing: JARU COFFEE
Job in coffee industry: Managing Barista at Jaru Coffee
Why did you enter this competition? To learn, improve and gain exposure to the industry from other great baristas.
What is your favourite coffee at the moment? I'm a fan of African single origins. I'm currently enjoying the Kenya Bold Bean.
What has been the highlight of the journey so far? Winning the 2018 Free State Barista Championships.
Why do you think these competitions are important? In community we grow and improve. I think the culture at the competitions is competitive in a healthy and supportive way. We're all happy to share ideas and learn from each other.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself (that has nothing to do with coffee): I can fix just about anything with my hands.
If you could travel to any coffee producing country in the world, where would it be and why? Definitely Brazil for 3 reasons: They are the biggest coffee producers in the world, 2: The colourful culture and 3: SOCCER.
Name: Ndumiso Qolintaba
Qualified for nationals: Barista competition
Competition history : Regionals 2019.
Company name: Vineyard hotel
Job in Coffee industry: full time barista
Why did I enter the competition? Because I am on a journey to learn and grow as a coffee professional its necessary for me to enter the competition to see how other professionals do.
My favourite coffee at the moment? Is Nyabirabi from Burundi.
My highlight of the journey so far? Competing at the regionals for the first time.
Why I think these competitions are important? Because they create a platforms for baristas to showcase the talent and knowledge also to have their voice heard.
Interesting fact about me? I have love for people in general.
Traveling to a coffee producing country? Burundi. I have been reading the interesting facts about them.
