News: Rotherham students compete in the National UK Barista Championships

Two students at Rotherham College of Arts and Technology (RCAT) recently had the opportunity to compete in the regional heats of the National UK Barista Championships at Lincoln's Drill Hall.

NVQ Level 3 Food & Beverage Service student Hannah Bleu Roe and NVQ Level 3 Hospitality Supervision student Firas Wazany went on to represent the college after achieving first and second place during the college's in-house Barista competition where they were required to produce four espressos, four cappuccinos and four of their own signature speciality drinks in just 15 minutes.

The in-house competitions were sponsored by Katie Evans at the Heavenly Coffee Company in Dinnington and scored by a panel of judges including, David Veal of Cafe Sienna in Hellaby - Executive Director of the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe, and Former Chairman of the Beverage Standards Association (BSA), Kenneth Cooper - National Coordinator for the UK Chapter of the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe, Maxine Beadsmoore from Derbyshire's Bottle Kiln and former college students Nick Challinor and Shaun Green.

Hannah won first place with her balsamic and star anise macchiato and Firas came a close second with a coconut latte finished with chocolate and both students received certificates for their achievements.

Weeks later they journeyed to Lincoln to take part in the regional heats where they had the opportunity to compete alongside industry professionals and also develop their experience of working under pressure. A number of students from the department also joined them to lend their support, assist with the preparations and pick up some tips from other entrants along the way.

Although Hannah and Firas just missed out on the winning places within the competition, they enjoyed the experience and were able to take away some useful tricks of the trade. They also listened to the valuable advice provided by the judges that they can later use to develop their skills for a future within the hospitality industry.

RCAT website

Images: RCAT

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News: Wake up and smell the coffee in Rotherham

The Star Business Monthly is out this week and it features David Veal, the man behind Cafe Sienna, the Rotherham based company that supplies coffees, teas, espresso machines and cafetieres for bars, restaurants and hotels accross the country. As chairman of the Beverage Service Association, David has a policy at his company, formerley known as Coffee Exchange, to insist on the highest quality and the best principals of business and conduct from coffee suppliers. Cafe Sienna is the agent for top brand, Lavazza, in the north of England and also produces coffee under the Cafe Sienna name. David told the Star: "We have lots of plans for growing the business. My feeling is you can either cower in your corner and wait for things to pass or you can do something about it. "Coffee has become a lifestyle product and lifestyles evolve, they don't just change because we are in a recession."
Cafe Sienna website
Star Business Monthly online

Rotherham

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