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Vancouver hosts Canada’s best baristas in national coffee competition

By Sean Sullivan
The Province

October 2, 2011

The country’s top baristas are in Vancouver Monday to face off in a national competition that will see the winner represent Canada at a world championship.

Among those competing in the semifinals Sunday was Lauren Thu, a roaster and barista with JJ Bean in Vancouver, who wowed the judges with an espresso-based signature drink inspired by a Kir Royale cocktail.

Thu, 22, deftly worked her espresso machine as two judges hovered with clipboards and a panel of four waited to taste her drinks. Despite the apparent intensity, she said it’s a friendly competition.

“Backstage everyone’s friends,” she said. “We’re all asking each other, ‘Oh, what are you making?’”

Six finalists chosen from Sunday’s 15 competitors will faceoff for the national title Monday, with the winner representing Canada at the 2012 barista world championships in Vienna.

“This is a place where you get a chance to test your chops against people who love it as much as you,” said Thu, who has been crafting specialty coffee for about five years. In addition to the signature drink, each contestant must prepare and serve four espressos and four cappuccinos — all in 15 minutes.

People who just pop the lid on their morning espresso may not consider the hard work that often goes into a drink.

“Baristas who care put so much thought into what they’re doing,” she said. “If you want to make a good espresso, it’s a science.”

The event, held as part of the two-day Canadian Coffee & Tea Show at the Vancouver Convention Centre, drew vendors from across Canada, eager to promote their wares to West Coast businesses.

Among these was the brand-new Commercial Drive Coffee Co., with its Grandview, The Drive, Park Drive and Continental coffee lines.

“I was born and raised in and around the Drive,” said owner Deomenico Bruzzese. The coffee is roasted locally and warehoused in the neighbourhood.

“Commercial Drive has been renowned for coffee forever,” he said. “People talk about Commercial Drive, and they talk about coffee.”
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