ASEAN BARISTA CHAMPIONSHIP 2012

The month of August came and left me just like that! Probably the fasting month gave me no mojo to document my thoughts but i have a great start to September.....

I was invited to judge in the Asean Barista Championship(ABC), all thanks to the invitation of the Asean Coffee Federation and only possible with the support of the Singapore Coffee Association (SCA) and my awesome employer, Toby’s Estate.

Food Hotel Thailand is held in city of Bangkok, Thailand in their spanking new BITEC. The ABC runs concurrently from the 6^th to 8^th of September 2012 with a unique format where both national non-champions and champions battle to win the  bragging rights of being the best Barista in Asean.

My day in the competition started with  a filtered single origin of Colombian Somondoco Bocaya District roasted by Pacamara Coffee Roaster of which, the self esteem drop to a low when I was given an oversized Competition/Sponsor t-shirt  to put over. (Honestly, I am kidding but kick to my ass for missing the judges calibration the day before which resulting in me to wear a pyjamas like tee shirt!)  Half way through of typing this in the judges room, I was given a medium size tee, apparently they managed to find me one!

Day One kick off with 10 non-champion from Thailand, Phillippines, Malaysia and Indonesia battling for 6 spots to enter the semi-final along with top seeded National Champions from respective countries(who have automatically qualified as Champions of their respective National competition)

Took a glance of the schedule of the day and was shocked but equally pleased to see my name sitting in sensory for 4 competitors and technical in two. Definitely my whole day will be filled up! =)

7 hours later……….

 Here are the names of non-champions who make it to the semi-final tomorrow. (In no particular ranking or order)

Day Two was an interesting battle. We saw some semi finalist from the non-champions category collecting the scalp of the big wigs but with a nice balance of Champions who have earlier, qualified automatically triumphing and showcasing their capability. 

It was also an interesting day out for the 6 judges who was selected by Head Judge Tuti Mochtar to judge in the semi-finals. Here is the list:-

The judges for the Semi-finals

We finally have the 6 finalists after 8 hours of battle with espresso sipping, cappuccino slurping and downing signature after signature beverages!! Within a pool of 11 semi-finalist and they are, in no respective order:-

The 3 Champion in Romeo, Doddy & Wissanupong from Singapore, Indonesia & Thailand respectively + the 3 from the non-champion category.

Day 3 arrived and everyone can sense the aura of suspense in the air. All judges from Day 1 & 2 gathered in the room where the names of 6 judges will be call upon to judge in the finals.

Head Judge- Tuti Mochtar (Indonesia)

Sensory 1- Hendri (Indonesia)

Sensory 2- Cheryl (Malaysia)

Sensory 3- Myself (Singapore)

Sensory 4- Susan (Philippines)

Technical 1- Tung (Thailand)

Technical 2- Fai (Thailand)

As it is within my professional capacity not to indulge in sharing how each finalist fare and scored, let me just indulge in putting names to the position:-

Champion- Romeo 

1st Runner up- Wissanupong

2nd Runner up- Sivakorn

4th- Sununta

5th- Pachirada

6th- Doddy

Me and the finalist

Congratulations to one and all! Romeo, you have done Singapore proud. =)