Aucklander John Gordon of Gorilla Gear beat eight other baristas to claim the mantle of Meadow Fresh New Zealand Barista Champion 2018 in Wellington this weekend.
Nine baristas from Wanaka to Whangarei battled it out, with John Gordon winning the title and Nico Refiti of Ozone Coffee Roasters, New Plymouth being named Runner Up. Frank Hsu of Franks in Wellington was second Runner Up.
As Meadow Fresh New Zealand Barista Champion 2018 John Gordon won flights and accommodation to represent New Zealand at the World Barista Championship in Amsterdam this June. This isn’t the first-time Gordon has attended the World Barista Championship. Before moving to Auckland in 2014 and establishing Gorilla Gear, John was three-time winner of the United Kingdom Barista Championship and therefore has attended the world competition.
The Meadow Fresh New Zealand Barista Champion 2018 was judged over two days. Testing baristas on the taste of beverages served, cleanliness, creativity, technical skill, and presentation. Each competitor also needed to prepare a signature drink – the opportunity to stretch their imagination and the judges’ palates with an expression of their tastes and experiences.
Baristas have a further two opportunities to compete for the opportunity to represent New Zealand overseas this year. The New Zealand Cup Tasters Championship, a challenge to distinguish taste differences in specialty coffee, will be held in Auckland on Friday 27 July, with the winner to represent the country at the World Tasting Championship in Dubai in September. The Meadow Fresh Latte Art championship is in Auckland on Sunday 29 July and the winner will represent New Zealand at the World Latte Art Championship in Brazil in November.
