Sri Lanka’s first-ever Barista Championship

Saturday, 28 June 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The first-ever Barista Championship of Sri Lanka was held on 14 June at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH). The event was organised by the Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association (CHSGA). Isuru Dilisa (19) of Coco Veranda was placed first and named the Barista champion of the event. The championship was aimed at honing local skills in the preparation of coffee with an emphasis on art, taste, foam and froth of milk. Each participating contestant was expected to make two espressos, two cappuccinos, two cafe lattes and one Sri Lankan based signature drink in the 15 minutes allocated to them. They were judged based on technique, taste, presentation and creativity. Niroshan de Silva, one of the key organisers of the event and judge had this to say about the competition: “It was very challenging and the kind of event where the participants had to have the ability to operate in a busy bar counter in the presence of a large audience, talk about the know-how’s of coffee, have the correct thought process and execution of all the beverages and above all, love what they do and have fun doing just that. The kind of standard shown by the participants was very encouraging and gave me the confidence that the coffee culture in Sri Lanka does have a bright future.” Isuru, apart from getting a perfect cream to seal in the flavour for the espresso and making velvety smooth foam for the cappuccino, came up with a curry leaf (karapincha) coffee-based signature drink. The drink is called B&W Ceylon and includes a bottom half that is cold, sweet and black and a top half that is warm, spicy and white. He used local ingredients such as curry leaves, honey and treacle to bring in local charm to his beverage. Koluu, one of the judges of the competition, said the drink was innovative but requires an acquired taste. Through Warehouse Project, a community-based initiative, Isuru found himself at a six-month training session at Coco Veranda, a cafe based at both Ward Place and Crescat Boulevard. He had been inspired by his colleagues to extend his creativity towards latte and cappuccino art which paved the way for amazing coffee art in many of the customer orders at Coco Veranda. In his acceptance speech Isuru expressed his gratitude towards all his colleagues and most of all, remembers his founding Director the late Sarath Sathiamoorthy who had inspired him to reach for his dreams. Amith Krishan, Operations Manager of Coco Veranda, also participated in the competition and was placed second runner-up for his performance. His signature drink was called the Salt and Pepper Cinnamon Mocha, an unusual concoction which caught the attention of the judges. Arafath M. Mackeen, third participant from Coco Veranda, also came up with a unique cardamom, clove and garlic based beverage for his signature drink which was aptly called Cafe Taprobane. All three signature drinks are now available at Coco Veranda. “I am extremely delighted with the way all competitors expressed passion and love for coffee. It was easy for me to work with them and I must mention the way Isuru and Amith handled the entire competition; they did it with ease and I know they will add value to Coco Veranda as well as the coffee culture of Sri Lanka. It is commendable that cafe management and customers came in numbers to support the event and the participants. I realised a strong loyalty between them and a firm bond that is ultimately what any coffee operator dreams of. This in turn gave the participants the strength and courage to showcase their talent. As they say, an action speaks louder than words, I can safely say that Coco Veranda is in good hands as far as quality of coffee is concerned,” added de Silva.

Sri Lanka’s first-ever Barista Championship

Colombo Hotel Show 2014 Coffee Art by Barista Champion Isuru Dilisa from Coco Veranda

Participants from Coco Veranda (from left): Arafath M. Mackeen (participant), Isuru Dilisa (Barista Champion), Amith Krishan (2nd Runner Up)

Judges tasting 2nd Runner Up Amith Krishan’s Signature Drink. From left: Koluu, Ibrahim Salim and Prasoon Shandil

Host, organiser and Judge for the Barista Competition Niroshan de Silva tasting the Espresso made by Barista Champion Isuru Dilisa from Coco Veranda

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