Managed pub and bar operator TCG has awarded its Barista of the Year 2015 title to Rachael Simmons, assistant manager at Bar 38 in Portsmouth, after she impressed judges in the finals of the annual competition. Her winning creation, a Carioca Iced Coffee, will be added to TCG’s summer coffee menus, launched in June.
The barista competition, held for the first time last year, challenges team members across the estate to create a new coffee or hot chocolate serve. From the initial entries, four finalists were invited to make their coffees in front of judges, and produce a latte to demonstrate their coffee skills. Judging this year were TCG chief operating officer Nigel Wright, Bryan Unkles and James Oldfield of TCG’s coffee supplier Cafeology, and last year’s Barista of the Year, Andrei Slemco, also from Bar 38.
Simmons’ winning drink is an iced espresso coffee with caramel and chocolate sauce, served in a Margarita glass. Inspired by the Carioca dance from South America, Simmons said she had tried to “create a drink that captured the spirit of a warm, sunny Friday afternoon, soaking up the heat and atmosphere and having a great time with friends.”
Simmons was presented with a Swan bean-to-cup coffee machine, donated by Cafeology, while a bottle of Champagne went to the other three finalists: Andzela Cibulskyte from Henry’s Café Bar West India Quay; Manuel Ricci of Henry’s Café Bar Piccadilly and Natasha Demello from The Lamb in Norwich.
Wright commented, “All our finalists presented delicious, well-presented coffees, but Rachael’s just had the edge, particularly in its visual appeal thanks to the ‘swirling’ of the chocolate sauce. The fact that Bar 38 has taken the top prize twice, and that Henry’s West India Quay were finalists both times, shows that coffee skills are being shared across our teams, which is just what we intended when we started the barista training programme.”
He added, “Since partnering with Cafeology two years ago, we have raised our game on hot drinks, with investment in new equipment, barista training and regular refreshes of our coffee offer. With skilled and motivated teams, our pubs and bars are now able to hold their own against specialist outlets and we are seeing impressive growth.”
Unkles, founder of ethical coffee company Cafeology, said, “We were once again impressed by the creativity and skill of the Barista of the Year finalists. What really came through was their passion for coffee, which is what makes the difference between a good coffee and a great one.
“Rachael’s winning drink is a worthy addition to the next coffee menu and we’re sure it will prove a popular choice over the summer months.”
Caption to attached image: at the Barista of the Year finals held at Henry’s Covent Garden (l-r): Shanto Prosad Dash and Andzela Cibulskyte, Henrys’ West India Quay; Bryan Unkles, Cafeology; Rachael Simmons, Bar 38; TCG chief operating officer Nigel Wright; Natasha Demello, The Lamb; James Oldfield, Cafeology; Manuel Ricci, Henry’s Piccadilly and Andrei Slemco, Bar 38