Mackay Coffee Idol 2011

Well it has been run and won. This year saw 11 competitors from Mackay and Moranbah compete for the Mackay Latte Art title for 2011. This year the level has lifted considerably and the competition was fierce. With John Laker (Di Bella Coffee Brisbane), Deb Munroe (CQ Tafe in Mackay) and Steve Ward (GJC Mackay) judging the event this years title was awarded to Pauline from Cafe La De Da with Jenny from La Crema Cafe in Moranbah runner up and Sheree Gray from Gloria Jean's Coffees coming third. This years event was well supported by visitors to the expo and Baristas from the local area, hopefully again next year the level will once again be higher so that the standard of espresso in Mackay continues to grow.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our generous sponsors, without them this event simply would not exist, they are:
Mackay Tourism
Ocean International
Di Bella Coffee
National Foods
Cafe La De Da
Prose PR
Gloria Jean's Coffees

If any competitors who are interested in going through their scoresheets, we will be having another Barista Jam at Cafe La De Da on Tuesday 22nd March 2011, 5:30pm onwards. I am putting this out to the audience, anybody who has topics that they are interested in sharing and discussing, please put it in the comments on the Blog or email steve@clicknet.net.au and we will put some info together for the Barista Jam. We'd like to start making these Barista Jams more of an educational experience, to share ideas,and to discuss new and better techniques in the industry.

Mackay Coffee Idol 2011. Only Five Sleeps.

The jam session last Tuesday went well

Almost all the contestants were there.

Steve, from Gloria Jeans, will be our head judge.

Steve was involved in the lively Q and A session at the jam. I think we settled a few nerves, and stirred others up.

The delegates from Billy Baxters, were there, Caroline, Penny, and Kierra, are joined here by Jenny.
Jenny won the "Came The Farest" award. In from Moranbah.

The GJ baristas were there also

Their motto seems to be 'No show without Them'. They're probably right .

We had a bit of a pretend run through, just to help the new guys get 'the feel'.

Miss Pauline, The Yorkshire lass from Cafe La de da, is the defending champion. Pauline is as nervous, shakey, and as uncomfortable as ever. You would think that after a couple of contests that she would be settling in by now. Maybe it's the bar that is so much higher now than a few years ago. Perhaps it's the skill level of her fellow contestants that's making her jumpy.

Our Latte Art comp has come a long way over the last few years. I believe it reflects just how much the Mackay specialty coffee community has grown over that time, too.

There are so many good home machines in use, that cafes have to keep working harder to stretch and grow, just to keep up with their customers expectations. I mean, why would you go out if you could do better yourself at home?

I have also put some videos on utube, from the jam. To find them on utube, search 'Mackay Coffee Idol'. You can send those links to your friends.

So, see you all at the MECC by 11am Tuesday, and bring your own fan clubs with you, too.

It really is a big deal, and I hope you let us, [and through us our sponsors] know that it is making a difference.

Nearly Mackay Coffee Idol Time

There will be a jam session this coming Tuesday night.
Of course there will be a chance for you to get an autograph and even, perhaps, a photo with your favourite barista.
There is also a practise run through on the Monday afternoon for an hour at 4pm the 14th, to make sure all our ducks are lined up at the MECC. A final chance to make sure that our 'wows and bangs' will work. A final chance to stand in the arena and feel the vibes.

This coming week will be getting hectic, and the pressure is building with the organisers,... Video conference with the IT guys, our TAFE sponsors, brand new coffee machines, grinders and knock boxes, arriving from NSW, via Di Bella in Brisbane. National Foods on board with the milk. Ocean International giving the winners room an extra spruce up. And Mackay Tourism making sure the pen is ready to write the winners $500 cheque. Also Deb Munroe the TAFE coffee coach will be at the jam, if anyone wants any final pointers.
Prose PR has done a great job promoting this years comp, so we will also be expecting TV cameras and interviews at the jam.

Of course, I'm sure the contestants are also putting final touches to their timing and the decoration of their signature drinks. We have eleven contestants, including the defending champion, Pauline from Cafe La de da. Gloria Jeans have two entrants, no doubt getting intensive coaching as the day gets closer. Both cafes are sponsors also. Helping out with corporate management and organising as well.

Mackay Coffee Idol 2011

Mackay Coffee Idol 15 March MECC ready, set,...... 10.30am.
Now less than 4 weeks to go.
Are you working on your speciality drink? Want some pointers?
Next Tuesday 22 February, will be another prep session, and tension builder, for next months competition.
Again at Cafe La de da from 5.30 to 7.30 in the evening.
Last Tuesday went smoothly, with new entrants soaking up the tutorial session.
Hey, even world champs have coaches, don't they?
We're hoping other entrants will be able to come along also. We need to get some paperwork and questionnaires done, to help build 'player profiles'.

We have a team working on making this years comp a real flash show.
Our mission is to turn making a cup of coffee into a spectator sport.
We have two [yes two, (2)] six metre screens, high energy music, fixed cameras and a roving hand held camera for close up detail, a miced up expert commentator, to explain what's happening, contestant profiles up on show, not a dull moment.
It will be like a 20/20 cricket coverage.
Weeeelllll, it's good to have a goal, right??
But, all the wannabes who miss out on being there, will definitely be kicking themselves. The coffee community will be talking about this years show, for ages.
Also, am expecting southern talent scouts with an eye on happenings.
This is your chance to shine.

Also, with the jams starting up again, the enquiries are coming in for the chance for evening coffee appreciation opportunities. Yes, you guys are welcome, too.
Addicts can justify anything, right?

Everyone present is expected to bring $5 and a name badge, and be prepared to help out to make the evening happen.

Mackay Barista Jam Session

We have our comp coming up and several new people have asked for one, so our next jam session is Tuesday 8th February at Cafe La de da from 5.30 to 7.30pm

We have had some changes to our competion prize, now it's $500 and a nights Bed and Breakfast for two at Ocean International.

Had lots of comment and responce to Janes video about our Latte Art competion ...Mackay Coffee Idol 2011 http://video214.com/play/pX7PFcbrYUGrf9EciLTKDw/s/dark
Help spread the link around please.

Deb from Tafe will run an educational session, at our jam, just to remind us of basics.
I am sure previous contestants will be there and available for 'roasting'.
We won't have the Throwdown element, unless you want to, let us know in the comments section below.
But that's no reason not to bring $5 to chuck in the kitty to cover pizzas.
Oh, and a name sticker, too.

For those wanting the rules and entry form for Mackay Coffee Idol 2011 please email
jane@prosepr.com.au

For those who are new to the blog, scroll down to earlier posts to learn about us.
If you think someone else should be included [or not] in the address list, let me know
jswalker@westnet.com.au

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Well everyone the new year is here. We are well into the planning of the next Mackay Latte Art comp to be held at the Mackay Tourism & Hospitality Showcase on the 15 March 2011 at the MECC. At this stage we will have a cash prize and trophy this year for the competition, so get out there and practice, practice, practice for the major cash prize in March 2011.

Any further info leave a comment on the blog or email info@prosepr.com.au

Thank you and good luck.

Mackay version of Scottie as Runner

This morning at GJ's Mt Pleasant, Merryn was taking orders and doing the till.
Merryn is the current Gloria Jeans champion Barista. A title she won recently in the playoffs in Sydney. A result of about 4000 hours [plus] practise. And a Hawaii trip as prize.
Every espresso drinker in Mackay should drop by over the next few months to pass on their regards to her. Merryn is one of 'ours' and has earned our 'attagirl'.

Merryn said that the GJ corporate dept asked for info and ideas, from the finalists, on what it would take to make their brand better. One result is they now have two grinders, and two quite different blends, on offer. My wife and I were impressed with the new blend we tried. It was a lot milder with different subtleties going on. Definitely didn't need the flavoured syrups. It was from Mexico. See, you can learn lots from hanging out with coffee guys, it's not all Corona and Tequila.

But still, having the champ on 'orders' was a bit like having Scottie Callahan, current Australian barista champ, and World #3, as a drinks runner and table wiper, I thought.
Perhaps, though, it's just a measure of the depth of talent the local franchise has on hand.