Come along and watch the NZ Barista Championship. This truly is the main event for Baristas in New Zealand.

Coffee connoisseurs are welcome to witness the search for the country’s top barista at the Meadow Fresh Aotearoa | NZ Barista Champs 2023.

New Zealand's most talented baristas will be brewing to win the national title in Upper Hutt on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 March. They are also in the running to win “The People’s Champion” where you can judge, Best Newcomer who wins $2000, and Most Outstanding Milk-based beverage will win $500.

Onstage, each barista will give a 15-minute demonstration scored on the taste of beverages served, cleanliness, creativity, technical skill, and presentation. Competitors each prepare four espressos, four milk drinks, and four original signature drinks to exacting standards set to their own music.

The “signature drink” allows baristas to stretch their imagination and the judges’ palates to incorporate a wealth of coffee knowledge into an expression of their individual tastes and experiences.

After two days of competition, the barista named Meadow Fresh NZ Barista Champion 2023 will win flights and accommodation to represent New Zealand at the World Barista Championship 2024, location TBC.

This is the first time in the world that a national body will use the new scoring rules and plant-based milk options have been introduced to the milk beverage round. As well as watching the competition action there’s the opportunity to taste specialty coffee and see demonstrations on the official equipment.

Trophies and prizes for:

Best Newcomer: The highest-ranking new competitor takes home a sweet $2,000 (in the New Zealand Championship, note that all entrants must be eligible to compete as per WBC & NZBC rules & regulations).

Outstanding Milk Beverage: will take home $500

The People's Champion: all the bragging rights and assorted goodies and a bar tab, for the people's favourite.

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The World Barista Championship organization (WBC) has licensed The New Zealand Specialty Coffee Association (NZSCA) to run the New Zealand Barista Championships from 2008 into the future.

NZSCA is committed to running the event in close accordance with WBC standards. Our focus is on producing a field of finalists capable of competing successfully at an international level, and of course, a winner who can excel at the world finals.

Dates and venue: Expressions Arts and Entertainment Centre, 836 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt

Saturday 25 March – National heats

Sunday 26 March – Final

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Competitors, trainers, mentors, and judges, make sure you read up on the WBC Rules, Scoresheets, and Code of Conduct.

Machines: La Marzocco, 2 group, Linea. The temperate of the two group machines, as per the rules, is set at the mid-point between 90.5 - 96c. The baskets are 17g La Marzocco precision baskets.

Grinders: Mythos MY75 set at 30 degrees

Full rules and regulations:

Code of Conduct and NZBC Rules.

http://worldbaristachampionship.com 2023 rules

Follow updates of the championship on Facebook, Instagram, and our newsletters

Any curly questions regarding the champs? Contact emma@nzsca.org at 021 415 810

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The NZ Barista Championship 2023 is kindly supported by:

Principle Sponsor: Meadow Fresh

Sponsors: La Marzocco, Mythos NZ, AMC Roastery Supply NZ, Cafetto, Acme Cupco, Monin, The Alternative Dairy Co, and Castaway.

The schedule:

Friday 24 March: 10 am-4 pm Judge's calibration, (invitation only) on-site
Friday 24 March: 4 pm Competitor briefing, on-site
Saturday 25 March: 8 am-5 pm (8:30 am Stage performance starts) TBC based on final numbers
4 pm (approx) announcement of finalists debrief for competitors not continuing
Sunday 26 March: 10:30 am-3 pm Final
4:30 pm (approx) Announcement of Champion

Please view the NZSCA ticketing terms & conditions here>