UK Barista Championship

The Barista Championship is considered the hardest of the SCAE competitions, testing your coffee knowledge, presentation, preparation and all round barista ability. The winner of this years competition will represent the UK at the World Barista Championships

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    UK Barista Championship 2012


    What's it all about?

    During the Barista Championship contestants will get 15 minutes to set up their work area and then 15 minutes to make 4 espresso, 4 cappuccino and finally 4 espresso based non alcoholic speciality drinks. The espresso machines are provided for the competition by San Remo. Grinders will also be available for competitors although many choose to bring their own. Should you need it, milk will be provided by Cravendale. The drinks are then judges by 2 Technical Judges and 4 Sensory (see the judges "Sensory and Technical Score Sheets").

    The various judges' deliberations will eventually boil down to one score for each barista, out of a maximum of 840. The top 20 scores will go through to the semi finals to be held during The London Coffee Festival at The Old Truman Brewery in London The London Coffee Festival These will be whittled down to the final 6 for the following day's final, 29 April 2012.

    The rules of the UKBC

    You may have already competed or you may be new to competing, but the most important thing you can do is read the rules, regardless of your competition or barista experience. The rules do change from year to year so it's worth having a re-cap if you have previously read them.

    We suggest you print out two copies, one for you and one for someone who may be helping you train or giving some input into your routine.

    How to enter the UKBC

    Entry is easy, you need to pay £25.00 to the SCAE UK and complete the entry form - available to download below. You need to know a few keyfacts though first:

    • You must be at least 18 years old
    • You must have worked in the UK for at least 2 years, with documentation or hold a UK passport
    • You must register at the very latest by 25th January 2012
    • We need a photo of you for displaying on the viewing screens at the event

    If you have any questions at all regarding the entry requirements or process please send us an email and we will get straight back to you, Jamie Banwell organises all entries and he can be contacted on: jamie@scaeuk.com

    Entry forms need to be returned to Jamie:

    Jamie Banwell,
    UKBC Entrant Coordinator
    c/o Base Coffee,
    Unit 8D,
    Cardrew,
    Redruth,
    Cornwall
    TR15 1SS

    Where and when are the heats being held

    This year we are having regional heats in Northern Ireland, Scotland, The Midlands, The South East and The South West. The finals will be held in London during The London Coffee Festival (April 27-29 2012). The places at regional heats are on a first come first serve basis so the quicker you get your entry form to us the more likely you are to be reserved in your desired region



    South East / London Heat

    When:Fri 27 and Sat 28 January 2012
    Where: Londonewcastle Project Space, 28 Redchurch Street, London, E2 7DP


    The SouthEast Heat is being organised by DunneFrankowski - Rob Dunne and Vic Frankowski.- and will be held at Londonewcastle Project Space in Shoreditch, please read more about DunneFrankowski.



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    South West Heat

    When: Westcountry Catering Exhibition - 8th and 9th February 2012
    Where: Westpoint Centre, Exeter, Clyst St Mary, Exeter EX5 1DJ

    The South West heat is being organised and hosted by Expowest - Westcountry Catering Exhibition, please read more about Expowest - Westcountry Catering Exhibition.




    Midlands Heat

    When: Saturday 03 March 2012
    Where: The Space, Roundtree Way, Norwich NR7 8SQ

    The Midlands Heat is being organised and hosted by Mad About Coffee at The Space in Norwich, bringing the UKBC to Norfolk please read more about Mad About Coffee.



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    Scotland Heat

    When:Friday 16 March 2012
    Where: Glasgow Caledonian University


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    Northern Ireland Heat

    When: 20 March 2012
    Where: Hillsborough Courthouse, The Square, Hillsborough, Co Down.


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    Northern Heat

    When: 17 February 2012
    Where: Life Science Centre, Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE1 4EP


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    Semi & Finals UKBC 2012

    When: April 27-29 2012
    Where: The London Coffee Festival, Old Truman Brewery, London

    The Semi & Finals are being organised and hosted by The London Coffee Festival please read more about The London Coffee Festival.




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    How do I become a UKBC judge?

    The certification programme for certifying UKBC judges for 2012/2013, will be held courtesy of Masteroast Coffee Company, Peterborough, November 21st and 22nd. Applications for this years certification programme are now being accepted. This is a 2 day programme based on WBC judging parameters and requirements where those who are successful are certified as judges for 2 years. As some judges reach the end of their 2 year certification after this years finals, we will be holding next years programme at around the same time in 2013.

    Anyone interested in certifying for 2012 can apply for information by downloading the application form

    Videos
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    We have a back catalogue of the 2010 & 2009 UKBC routines over on our Livestream & Viddler page, these videos are worth checking out if you didn't make it to the competition last year.

    Watch the 2010 UKBC Semi-finalists & Finalists

    Watch the 2009 UKBC Semi-finalists & Finalists

    Pictures
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    Photographs from the UKBC competitions, check out our Flickr account