MELBOURNE, Australia – There’s just three weeks to go until the coffee industry unites to celebrate all things coffee at the Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE) from 22 to 24 March.
Australia’s favourite coffee event will see all five Australian Coffee Championships under the one roof, including the Australian Pura and Vitasoy Barista, Brewers Cup, Latte Art, Cup Tasters, and AMC Roasting Championship to recognise roasting excellence.
The respected competitions, hosted by the Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA), will see regional barista winners from across the country go head-to-head for the ultimate glory. Watch them dazzle the judges – and crowd – with their timed performances, creative latte art, and delicious coffees, with the ultimate goal of taking out the national title and representing Australia on the world stage.
This year, the World Barista Championships (WBC) will take place in Amsterdam from 20 to 23 June, 2018. The World Latte Art Championship will take place from 7 to 9 November in Brazil, and the World Brewers Cup, Coffee Roasting and Cup Tasters Championship will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
All eyes will be on the competition stage to see who will be crowned the 2018 Australian Barista Champion. Will Ona Coffee win the title for the third year in a row? Will the underdog come out on top? All will be revealed at MICE2018.
“The national coffee championships are an exciting time of year for the Australian specialty coffee community,” says Hugh Kelly of Ona Coffee, reigning Australian Barista Champion. “We get to see exciting new coffees and new ideas being presented at an exceptionally high standard given Australia is one of the most progressive coffee markets in the world.”
This is the first time in seven years Hugh won’t compete in the national competition, instead helping coach other Ona Coffee finalists. “I’m sure it will be a weird feeling seeing all the amazing routines without sharing something of my own, but I’m sure I will be inspired.”
The competition schedule for the 2018 Australian Coffee Championships is as follows:
Thursday 22 March
ASCA Main Stage
9:00am – 1:30pm: Australian Pura and Vitasoy Barista Championship Open Heats
1:30pm – 4:30pm: Australian Brewers Cup Open Heats
5:00pm: Australian Pura and Vitasoy Barista Championship semi-finalist announcement/Australian Brewers Cup finalist announcement
ASCA Roasting Zone
9:00am – 5:00pm: Australian AMC Roasting Championship
Friday 23 March
ASCA Main Stage
9:00am – 1:30pm: Australian Pura and Vitasoy Barista Championship Semi-Finals
1:00pm – 5:00pm: Australian Brewers Cup Compulsory Round
1:30pm – 4:30pm: Australian Latte Art Open Heats
4:30pm – 5:30pm: Australian Cup Tasters Open Heats
5:30pm: Australian Pura and Vitasoy Barista Championship finalist announcement/Australian Latte Art finalist announcement
ASCA Roasting Zone
9:00am – 5:00pm: Australian AMC Roasting Championship
Saturday 24 March
ASCA Main Stage
9:00am – 2:00pm: Australian Pura and Vitasoy Barista Championship Finals
9:00am – 3:00pm: Australian Brewers Cup Finals
9:30am – 2:00pm: Australian Latte Art Finals
3:00pm – 3:30pm: Australian Cup Tasters Finals
3:30pm – 4:15pm: MICE2018 Barista Big Bash
4:15pm – 4:30pm: MICE2018 Shave the Barista
4:30pm: ASCA Australian Coffee Championship winners announcement
ASCA Roasting Zone
9:00am – 4:30pm: Australian AMC Roasting Championship
About Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE2018)
The Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE) is the largest dedicated coffee show in the Southern Hemisphere. MICE2018 will welcome more than 120 exhibitors, featuring the latest in espresso equipment, coffee brewing devices, exotic and expensive coffee beans, roasting equipment, and more. For more information visit www.internationalcoffeeexpo.com
Follow MICE on Twitter @MelbCoffeeExpo #MICE2018, on Facebook or Instagram.
