- Booleroo Centre – Better on a Bike!
- The Delicious Southern Flinders Ranges
- Motorcross Champs Come To Crystal Brook
- Boost for Regional Development
- Population & Skills Attraction
- Celebrating Our Region’s Success
- Come on the Tour Up Over!
- Research Gets Pedal Power
- Southern Flinders Regional Tourism Authority Wins National Award
- Rural Tertiary Hardship Fund Grants Now Open
- Yorke Peninsula Celebration of Employment Awards Presentation Dinner
- Expressions of Interest for Regional Development Australia Committees
- Climate Change Sector Agreement
- 2011 TAFE SA & Southern Flinders Ranges Barista Competition Results
- RDAYMN to Play Key Role in RDAF Round Two
- New Online Regional Map Resource Goes Live
- Tourism Training is a Priority
- Get Your Tickets for the Southern Flinders Awards!
2011 TAFE SA & Southern Flinders Ranges Barista Competition Results
The inaugural TAFE SA & Southern Flinders Ranges Barista Competition is over bar the coffee buzz. Finalists in the competition went to TAFE SA Port Pirie on Saturday to find out who would be crowned with coffee glory.
The inaugural TAFE SA & Southern Flinders Ranges Barista Competition is over bar the coffee buzz.
Finalists in the competition went to TAFE SA Port Pirie on Saturday to find out who would be crowned with coffee glory. There were four categories that individuals and businesses entered:
- 2011 TAFE SA Southern Flinders Ranges People’s Choice Barista of the Year ($250 cash prize and trophy)
- 2011 Pura Milk Southern Flinders Ranges People’s Choice Café/Restaurant of the Year ($250 worth of Pura Milk products and trophy)
- 2011 Villere Coffee Southern Flinders Ranges Student Barista of the Year ($150 cash prize and trophy)
- 2011 Southern Flinders Ranges Barista of the Year ($500 cash prize and trophy).
The Student Baristas were up first, and although the entrants were nervous initially, all of them showed they could make a great coffee. Sabena Holland (TAFE SA Port Pirie student), Corey Thain (Café Connex Port PIrie) and Aaron Shadur (Café Connex Port Pirie) battled it out, making three cappuccinos, two espressos and three coffees of their choice each. It was closely fought, with all three finalists scoring within 15% of each other. But there could be only one winner, and Aaron Shadur from Café Connex was crowned 2011 Villere Coffee Southern Flinders Ranges Student Barista of the Year.
Judges Riang Lim (TAFE SA Kadina), Ann Jones (ABC 639 North and West Mornings) and Petria Ladgrove (ABC 639 North and West Mornings) were impressed by the quality of coffee produced by the students. Spectators were treated to commentary on the coffee making process by Head Judge Riang Lim as the students went about their craft with skill.
After the students, it was time for the Baristas to compete. The hotly contested, and at time humorous affair saw Matt Traeger (Jamaica Blue Port Pirie), Lana Brooks (Maggie’s Rendezvous Orroroo) and Saeid Safavi (Caffe Florence Port Pirie) produce some amazing brews, with coffee art making an appearance. There was good natured heckling, revealing coffee making insights and brilliant barista techniques all on display. This event was even closer than the students – all three finalists were judged as being within 8% of each other! After much deliberation, Saeid Safavi was awarded 2011 Southern Flinders Ranges Barista of the Year. It was a well deserved award, although Matt Traeger and Lana Brooks came extremely close to overtaking Saied at every step of the competition.
‘We are really grateful to our sponsors, Pura Milk, Villere Coffee and TAFE SA’ said Stephen Schwer, Tourism Development Officer for the Southern Flinders Ranges. ‘TAFE SA provided the venue and helped organise the event, Villere Coffee provided the beans for the competition and Pura Milk supplied the milk, as well as $250 worth of Pura Milk products to the winner of the People’s Choice Café/Restaurant of the Year. Their support for the event meant that the first barista competition in the region was a big success’.
After the competition, it was time for the presentations. Café Connex Port Pirie, Maggie’s Rendezvous Orroroo and Caffe Florence Port Pirie were all finalists in the 2011 TAFE SA Southern Flinders Ranges People’s Choice Café/Restaurant of the Year, and Caffe Florence were a resounding winner in this category. A closer contest developed in the 2011 TAFE SA Southern Flinders Ranges People’s Choice Barista of the Year, where Aaron Shadur, Corey Thain and Samantha Simpson (Café Connex Port Pirie), Richard Bruce (Over the Edge Sports Melrose), Saeid Safavi (Caffe Florence Port Pirie) and Lana Brooks (Maggie’s Rendezvous Orroroo) were all finalists. It came down to two – Saeid and Lana – with Saeid ultimately gaining enough votes to secure his victory.
‘All the finalists and winners are to be congratulated’ Mr. Schwer said. ‘To compete in front of judges would have been a bit nerve racking, but all the baristas performed excellently. We are looking forward to growing the competition in 2012.’
Winners:
- 2011 TAFE SA Southern Flinders Ranges People’s Choice Barista of the Year ($250 cash prize and trophy) – Saeid Safavi (Caffe Florence Port Pirie)
- 2011 Pura Milk Southern Flinders Ranges People’s Choice Café/Restaurant of the Year ($250 worth of Pura Milk products and trophy) – Caffe Florence Port Pirie
- 2011 Villere Coffee Southern Flinders Ranges Student Barista of the Year ($150 cash prize and trophy) – Aaron Shadur (Café Connex Port Pirie)
- 2011 Southern Flinders Ranges Barista of the Year ($500 cash prize and trophy) – Saeid Safavi (Caffe Florence Port Pirie)
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