The World Coffee Events Championships
is one of the biggest and most important events for the coffee community during the year. Coffee professionals and enthusiasts from over 100 different countries across the world gather at the event each year for inspiration, education and networking, sharing their knowledge and passion for all things coffee.
For the first time the World of Coffee Event was held in Eastern Europe, in the beautiful, historical city of Budapest on the river Danube in Hungary. I arrived in the city, the “Queen of the Danube”, and found myself surrounded by the heat and the hustle and bustle of this vibrant place. The cries of hawkers filled the air along with the smell of a lángos (deep-fired flat bread). All around me was history, culture and natural beauty. The Roman ruins of the Aquincum Museum, Heroes’ Square and Statue Park, and the 300-foot dome of St. Stephen’s Basilica. The main event of WCE, gathering this coffee elite to this city, was the competitions between the world’s best baristas for the title of World Champion. This year’s competitions included the World Cup Taster, Brewers Championship, Coffee in Good Spirits, Ibrick Championship and Latte art Championship. And here I was, representing Java Republic and judging in this “arena of the battle” for the first time in my career.
The heat and buzz of the metropolis surrounding me was matched by the excitement and energy of the Hungexpo Fair Centre. It was the day before the competitions commenced. Already the expo was filled with exhibitors. Coffee farmers, green coffee suppliers, roasters, manufacturers and suppliers of coffee equipment and barista tools.
Exhibitors at Hungexpo Fair Centre
I was filled with a mixture of pride, excitement and trepidation. It was my first time to judge on a world level. As a certified WCE judge, I was very fortunate to be part of the Latte Art panel. The journey to this point hadn’t been an easy one, it takes qualifications, experience and determination to become a judge. Working with the Java Republic team, my coffee knowledge has been raised to new levels over the last few years. I devoted my to time learning from Java Republic’s Q graders, SCA and AST trainers. I had achieved certification though a detailed process, including 7 different examinations, held throughout the year at locations across the globe, my work colleagues supporting me throughout. But I wasn’t there yet, I had one last test to pass before I could assume my role as judge- the day before World Competition all judges met in Budapest for Calibration.
Judges are expected to maintain the highest standards. The calibration test is the final exam the World Championship organisers use to ensure every Judge follows WCE codes of conduct and meets standards. During calibration, all judges once again analyse Rules and Regulations. I knew these by heart as did all the judges, nonetheless everyone approached analyse with a stern seriousness, as if it where their first-time testing. We were matched against calibrated scoring systems based on designs samples from previous years. All the time, observed by Head Judges from WCE, our abilities assessed and scored accordingly to the R&R.
(Left) Renata Malyszko, Judging 2017 World Latte Art Championship
Scoring was based on factors like rule interpretation and implementation, focus and stage behaviour. It wasn’t a given that everyone would pass. Tension filled the air. Myself and every judge experienced the stress of the testing combined with the travel undertaken to reach the event. Some came from as far afield as Australia, Asia or even South America. I had journeyed almost 1500 miles, from Dublin, Ireland, hoping I would be selected as part of the final judging panel. To the relief of all those who put themselves forward for Latte Art, everyone passed. I had made it. Now the hard work would begin.
The following morning the ‘battle’ commenced. In front of the excited crowd the preliminaries played out. The trial was divided in to two components. First was Art Bar, each competitor had 10min to present single creative design where all techniques are available such as free pour, etching and surface colouring. The second stage was presentation. Each competitor had to present 2 free pour lattes matching the presented pictures and 2 lattes matching design patterns.
The competition was tough and after a long day’s struggle in the eliminators, 12 out of 39 competitors remained. Everyone was glad to relax and take in the sights of Budapest that evening, still the tingle of anticipation was ever present, tomorrow was the semi-finals.
The following day the 12 competitors remaining, each representing a different country from around the world, competed again. Each Barista had to pour 2 sets of matching free pour lattes and one set of free pour macchiato. The competition was tight, following summary scores from two preliminary rounds, the 12 competitors with highest scores went on to the semi-finals where the main focus was on free pour skills. The day ended with only 6 baristas remaining. That evening everyone’s thoughts where focused on the coming day and the finals.
(Left) Martin Hudak Wins 2017 World Coffee In Good Spirits, (Right) Thitiprasert of Ristr8o Wins 2017 World Latte Art Championship
The final round saw competitors from Thailand, Italy, Greece, Poland, Singapore and Hong Kong gathered together to contend for the title Latte Art World Champion. In a contest displaying the greatest of skill and passion there was little to separate these talented baristas. The crowd showed their support with great enthusiasm as the contestants gave it their all. Finally, a winner emerged, Arnon Thitiprasert of Thailand was crowned Champion. The gallant runners up where Michalis Karagiannis of Greece in second place and Agnieszka Rojewska of Poland in third.
As I left Budapest for home, drained from the excitement and proud to have been a part of the contest, I felt honoured and privileged to have seen such great baristas demonstrate their talents. If you haven’t already done so, I hope you will have the pleasure of attending the WEC annual championships in the future.
Renata Malyszko
Coffee Quality Team
Java Republic
