A Lake District barista has been named as the best in the region.
Coffee roastery John Farrer & Co launched its first-ever professional Barista Championships earlier this year and this week, James Greenwood, of Ambleside’s Freshers Cafe, was crowned the winner.
Over 20 professional baristas from coffee shops, cafes, bars, and hotels across the region have competed in six heats held during spring and summer to secure a coveted spot in the final.
James was presented with the winner’s trophy for a year, a Sanremo Zoe Two Group Compact Espresso Coffee Machine worth over £5,000 for the business, the opportunity to make a coffee blend, a three-day City & Guilds Level 2 VRQ Course, and a hamper full of Farrer’s goodies.
Each of the other finalists also received a finalist certificate, a specially engraved limited edition professional coffee tamper and a selection of Farrer’s goodies to mark their achievement in taking part in the final including a new limited edition Barista T-shirt each.
James said: ‘’I truly can’t believe I’ve won. When they announced the results I thought they were joking! It just doesn’t seem real, especially as I was called out on a shout in my other job as a retained firefighter at midnight, so I didn’t think for one second I’d be in with a chance.
“I’m totally blown away at being crowned the winner, especially being pitted against five other amazing competitors.’’
Runner-up was Luke Klein, of Boaters Bar, Bowness, who was rewarded for his efforts with a runner-up certificate, a three-day City & Guilds Level 2 VRQ Course, and a hamper full of Farrer’s coffee goodies, including a new limited edition Barista T-shirt, as well as the chance to create his own blend of coffee and to do a curated tasting cupping with Farrer’s head roaster Che Oxenham.
The final six who went head-to-head yesterday were:
- Charlie Edgar from Lowther Castle & Gardens, Newtown, Penrith
- Luke Klein from Boaters Bar, Bowness
- Nina Hibberd from Bay View Garden Centre, Carnforth
- James Greenwood from Freshers Café, Ambleside
- Emma Cartwright from 2 Sisters Café, Plumgarths
Ennija Zalecka, of the Halston Hotel, Carlisle, stepped in as the next-in-line finalist, replacing Katie Jackson from Brew Brothers, Kendal, who was unable to take part.
On finals day the six rivals gathered at Farrer’s HQ, on Shap Road in Kendal to battle it out under the watchful eye of a panel of expert judges made up of Beverage Standards Association trainers, John Skinner, and Martyn Herriott, Farrer’s general manager Rob Baines, Che and trainer Michaela Hudson.
Each participant was scored against several criteria including how well they produced a signature coffee, how well they performed in a technical brewing exercise and finally how innovative and creative they could be in creating a Bake Off-style showstopper toffee apple-inspired coffee using a surprise signature roast coffee – which in this instance was Deterra Red Bourbon, a sustainable and climate-friendly coffee from Brazil.
After a keenly fought final the judges returned their verdict for each of the six finalists, announcing both the runner-up and the overall winner, in what proved to be a keenly fought final, with only seventeen points separating first from sixth.
Lisel Williams, manager of Fresher’s Café, said: ‘’James sent me a text to say he’d won, but I didn’t believe him. We’re always joking with each other, and I thought this was one of his jokes, especially when he didn’t text back when I queried what he’d sent.
“So, I phoned Farrer’s to try and get hold of him. They congratulated me and told me he’d won – I just didn’t know what to say, but I’m proud of what he’s achieved and would encourage everyone to give it a go next year.’’
Jon said: ‘’Anyone who can pull together the confidence and enthusiasm to compete at this level is to be commended. Every single competitor has been on a journey which has seen them develop hugely as baristas. All too often coffee is something we tolerate because it’s made badly.
“I’m pleased to say that isn’t the case with each of the competitors who have taken part in Farrer’s final. Every single one of them has shown they have the knowledge and ability to be able to produce exemplary coffee every single time.’’
