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Nolan Hirte from Lemon Espresso in St Quentins Avenue Claremont, took out the top prize in the 2007 Western Australian Barista Championships.

The Western Australian Barista Championships is an independent competition run by the AustralAsian Specialty Coffee Association (AASCA). The competition was held over two days on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 March at the City of Perth Town Hall.

This years event had a clear international flavour, with competitors origins ranging from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States, Russia and Thailand and the judges from all over Australia and Singapore.

The set-up at the City of Perth Town Hall included plasma screens and a projector with live-feed close-ups making every seat in the house ideal for viewing each competitors routine.

“The audio visual for this event was outstanding. It was the best I’ve ever seen at a Barista Competition,” said WBC international accredited judge, Rob Forsyth.

After finishing second in 2006 competition, Nolan was determined that the 2007 result would be different. As a part-time DJ he introduced some smooth and funky beats to his barista routine which was well received by the large and vocal crowd.

“Nolan is always a crowd favourite”, said Ben Bicknell, the WA representative for AASCA”, he’s just smooth in everything he does. When you combine his barista skills with his natural ability to entertain the crowd, he becomes a competitor that is very hard to beat.”

As the winner, Nolan has secured his place in the AASCA Australian Barista Championships held on 29 April in Adelaide, the winner of which will represent the nation at the World Barista Championships in Tokyo, Japan later this year.

Final results and scores
1st – Nolan Hirte (Lemon Espresso) 151.5 points
2nd – Jen Murray (WA Barista Academy) 143.5 points
3rd – Jeremy Hulsdunk (Epic Espresso) 140.9 points
4th – Kylie Farrell (Aroma Café) 134.3 points
5th – Amy Lariat (New Norcia Bakery) 132.6 points

© Photo provided with permission by David Bicknell. All rights reserved by photographer.