HI guys, for the record, here's the press release with official details from comps: Australian Capital Territory’s Sasa Sestic has been named Australia’s best barista. Sasa, who works for Canberra-based coffee company Ona Coffee, impressed the judges with his stellar performance to win the prestigious crown of Australian Barista Champion. State barista winners from across the country travelled to Melbourne to try to take home the prestigious national titles. In a tight race to the finish, Sasa won first place in the Australian Barista Championship, Think Tank Coffee’s Craig Simon won second place, and St Ali’s Matt Perger won third place. Sasa is no stranger to the competition scene. He has competed in national coffee competition for the past seven years, making his first barista championship win even more precious. “It’s a very special moment for me. This win has been seven years in the making. It’s a proud achievement for me personally, but also for Ona Coffee, my family, and the entire coffee community in Canberra,” says Sasa. “It’s a dream come true.” In this competition, participants have 15 minutes to prepare four espressos, four cappuccinos, and four signature drinks to a panel of six judges. Sasa’s routine highlighted the importance of the relationship between coffee producers and consumers. For his coffee, he used Las Nubes – Sudan Rume varietal coffee from Colombia. Sasa will now represent Australia on the world stage at the World Barista Championship in Seattle, United States in June. In front of a crowd of supporters, Caleb Cha of Cafenatics in Victoria took out the Australian Pura Latte Art Championship. Ben Morrow of Plantation won second place and Barry Newell of Blue Sky Coffee won third place. In the Australia Brewers Cup competition that celebrates the art of coffee brewing, Dane Oliver from La Cabra Coffee Roasters took the title using a Geisha coffee from Cerro Azul, Café Granja. Auction Room’s Michael Sinclair won second place and Toby Wilson of Sample Coffee Roasters won third place. Harry Hyun-suk Ko from De Clieu won the Australian Huhtamaki Cup Tasters Championship, which awards the professional coffee cupper who demonstrates speed, skill, and accuracy in distinguishing the taste differences in specialty coffees. Frankie Shi of Tulip Shi won second place and Aaron Lee of Dukes Coffee Roasters won third place. Celebrating the art of coffee with alcohol, Lucas Woods of Coffee Lab took out the title of Australian Coffee in Good Spirits Champion. Mikael Jasin of Operator25 café won third place and Chris Wood of Clement Coffee won third place. The winners of these championships will fly to Gothenburg, Sweden to represent Australia on the world stage in April.
