DUBAI // Dmitriy Griekhov, head barista at the Café Rider coffee bar in Dubai, is to represent the UAE at the World Barista Championship 2015.
The competition takes place from Thursday until Sunday, at the Washington State Convention Centre in Seattle, United States.
Mr Griekhov, who is Ukrainian, emerged as the UAE winner from 28 competitors, whose skills were put to the test at the sixth National UAE Barista Championship.
The championship was held in November at the International Coffee and Tea Festival (ICTF) – the only trade event for speciality coffee and tea in the Arab World.
The UAE Barista Championship showcased the abilities of the country’s finest baristas.
Each had to prepare and serve four espressos, four cappuccinos and four original espresso-based signature beverages to a panel of international and UAE-based judges in a 15-minute performance.
Two panels consisting of four international sensory judges, two technical judges and a head judge evaluated the performances through a series of stringent criteria and scoring techniques.
The judges awarded points based on technical capability, coffee knowledge, craftsmanship, communication skills, service skills, exceptional coffee quality and overall passion for the barista profession.
“The UAE is gradually positioning itself as a major global market for speciality coffee, with a positive and consistent growth in its local barista culture,” said Ryan Godinho, Coffee Education and Championships Coordinator for the Organisers of the ICTF.
“We congratulate Dmitriy Griekhov and wish him success as he proudly represents the UAE at the World Barista Championship 2015.”
newsdesk@thenational.ae
* This article has been amended since it was first published to reflect that the competition starts on Thursday.
