Muffin Break’s Barista Championship is returning for 2022 and the finalists have just been announced!
The annual competition is open to all of our franchisees and staff across the country to determine the best baristas in the business.
The competition is held across two days, where ten finalists compete against each other to take the title of 2021/2022 Barista Champion.
The road to becoming Muffin Break’s Best Barista
The competition began in 2021 with in-store qualifying rounds, whereby hundreds of baristas went through rigorous testing on extraction time, temperature, creativity, contrast, foam and milk quality, as well as symmetry of latte art.
To make it to the finals, baristas had to score above 80% in the in-store qualifying round and place in the top 10 scoring Baristas in Australia.
To make it as a finalist, it requires years of barista experience and knowledge and hundreds of hours of experience on a coffee machine to perfect the correct technique and presentation skills. Additionally, to be eligible to compete, the baristas must complete the Muffin Break Barista Program, involving an online training course, 80 hours practice on the coffee machine and a practical evaluation.
The Baristas
With some exception barista’s returning to the competition, and some new, highly talented fresh faces, this year is set to be an outstanding turnout.
Previous winner of the 2017 championship, Michael Chen from Muffin Break Fountain Gate Kiosk in Melbourne is returning to attempt to take out his second win for the store. Additionally, winner of the 2018 Barista Latte Art Competition, Zoe from Muffin Break Northland in Melbourne is approaching the competition with the gaze to take out the title for the first time.
Newcomer, Blake from Muffin Break Wagga Wagga in regional New South Wales is excited about the competition and is bringing some exceptional latte art skills to the table; Blake loves coming up with his own latte art designs and often provides some magnificent phoenix, anime characters and colourful swans for his customers.
Keeble from Muffin Break Strathpine in Queensland mentioned, “I believe there’s no end to learning and enhancing my barista skills. By competing with other great baristas, I will know more of my own strengths and weaknesses during the process; also, I get to observe how others master the barista skills and learn from them.”
The 2021/2022 Barista Championship
All 10 finalists have been invited to attend the finals in Sydney, where they will compete in 4 main challenges including testing their technique, presentation, tasting, and latte art skills.
The finalists will also have a chance to tour a coffee roasting facility, attend a workshop with an expert latte artist to hone and further their skills. The finalists who compete will walk away with some amazing prizes and giveaways and the crowned champion will be awarded with $1000 and the title of ‘Muffin Break Barista Champion’.
Sara from Muffin Break Belmont in Western Australia is thrilled to be going to the finals. Not only to try her best in the competition, but also to make some new friends. With her motto “If you always think you’re the smartest in the room, you’ll never learn from others. Assume you always have something to learn from every person.”, we’re sure all 10 finalists will be leaving with plenty new friends and a wealth of knowledge.
Meet your local barista and grab a FREE Coffee
To celebrate National Barista Day and assist in each of the barista’s journey towards the finals, select Muffin Break stores are inviting everyone to meet the barista and enjoy a FREE Coffee* on March 1st, 2022.
To redeem your free coffee, make sure you are a Muffin Break rewards member & make a purchase in store by February 25th, select your local Muffin Break as your favorite store and keep an eye out for an email in your inbox to scan and redeem on March 1st.
*T&Cs: Offer valid at select stores on March 1st 2022 only. Coffee is a size small. Must scan barcode in-store to redeem. Not valid with any other offer or discount.
Search for jobs now at your nearest Muffin Break store. Time to get started on your dream path of being a successful barista!
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