Ciro and Lavazza proudly hosted the finals of the SPAR Bean Tree Regional Barista Competition at Emperors Palace. A total of 80 baristas from stores across the country entered into this competition and have been competing in multiple heats both online and at our Head Office. Assessments have ranged from customer experience and health and safety to latte art and overall coffee preparation technique. The final heat is set to take place at each regional tradeshow where 3 finalists must compete for the title of Bean Tree Barista Champion of the year for their region. Once all of the tradeshows have been completed, the national winner based on the highest of all regional winner scores will be announced and crowned the National Bean Tree Barista Champion for 2023.
This competition has been designed to upskill and inspire both Bean Tree Baristas and Ambassadors and to ultimately ensure that Bean Tree continues to deliver on its quality coffee promise and a consistently good customer experience. The basic logic behind this competition is the better the barista, the better the coffee.
Inland Finalists:
Alice Mjobo – Midrand Super SPAR
Anicky Baloyi – Soutpansberg
Bella Maseko – Rynfield Super SPAR
Rachel Tshehlo – Eagle Canyon Super SPAR
*Rachel is hearing impaired and was a wild card finalist. She did exceptionally well and the audience’s response to her passion for her trade has sparked the idea of strengthening the SPAR/eDeaf relationship.
Competition Results:
First Place – Bella Maseko (Rynfield Super SPAR)
Second Place – Alice Mjobo (Midrand Super SPAR)
Third Place – Bella Maseko (Rynfield Super SPAR)
Fourth Place – Rachel Tshehlo (Eagle Canyon Super SPAR)
All finalists were awarded with SPAR Brands hampers valued at R500 each as well as branded aprons and caps which they can continue to wear in their stores. Bella Maseko was crowned the Inland Bean Tree Barista Champion and received a trophy, certificate, Intro to Coffee Course hosted by Ciro and a R500 SPAR voucher and will now stand a chance to walk away from this competition with the title of National Bean Tree Barista Champion for 2023 once all tradeshows have been held and regional winners results have been compared.
