"Welcome to Five Senses Coffee"

It was a hat trick for 5 Senses Coffee at the WA Barista Championships on the weekend, with each of the event’s three awards being taken out by 5 Senses people.

Mark Chandler, head trainer at 5 Senses’ training school, the WA Barista Academy, was first to take centre stage. Despite being a first time competitor, Mark stayed true to form, putting in a smooth and polished performance that impressed the panel of expert judges. Mark romped home with a massive 92 point victory, winning the coveted title of Western Australia Barista Champion. Mark was gracious in victory, saying “This is a win for 5 Senses Coffee, the whole team contributed in today’s victory, I’m just fortunate to be a part of it.”

This is the second year running that the award, which is the central focus of the competition, has been won by WABA’s head trainer. Jennifer Murray, a well recognised figure in the Australian coffee scene, stole the show at last year’s WA Barista Championships and went on to place third in the national competition, the Australian Barista Championship. It certainly says great things about the calibre of training at WABA.

The second day of competition encompassed the Latte Art Competition and Cupping Competition and 5 Senses continued to dominate…

Veteran competitor and 5 Senses Production Supervisor, Kim Godleman, lit up the stage with a creative and entertaining performance, winning first place in the Latte Art Competition.

The Cupping Competition was the final event of the weekend. A hush fell over the crowd as the competitors took on expressions of fierce concentration. Ben Bicknell, who is the Coffee Quality Expert at 5 Senses, slammed the competition with a massive seven out of eight.

“With a large number of first timers in the Barista Competition this year, there were some really dynamic and unique performances,” said event organiser and AustralAsian Specialty Coffee Association Vice President, Ben Bicknell. “We were privileged to have David Makin fly over to judge the event.” David Makin is the current Australian Barista Champion, and finished a very impressive second (only a few points behind the winner) in the 2008 World Barista Championships.

Mark, Kim and Ben have earned an all-expenses paid trip to the national semi-final, the 2009 Australian Barista Championship, which will be held at the Gold Coast Food and Wine Show on 30, 31 January and 1 February 2009.

Barista Competition Final Results

Latte Art Final Results

Cupping Competition Final Results