Compass Group UK & Ireland held its inaugural Compass Matcha Smackdown 2019, which saw competitors from across the UK and Italy take part.
Cristian Fernando was crowned winner following four intense rounds, where he demonstrated consistency in his skill with strong professionalism throughout.
The Compass baristas came together to pit their skills against the best of the best at the very first Compass Matcha Smackdown barista competition. The final took place at the Innovation Centre at the company’s Chertsey headquarters, delivered with partners teapigs and the Speciality Coffee Association (SCA).
Thirteen baristas seized the opportunity to demonstrate their skills by producing some amazing looking (and tasting) Matcha Lattes. Competitors included baristas from Medirest, Chartwells, 14Forty and Eurest, with the winner flying in from a Restaurant Associates site in Milan, Italy.
Newly appointed Compass Coffee Education and Training Manager, Sonali Tailor headed the judging panel alongside Louise Cheadle from teapigs and Owen Thom from the SCA. The competition focused on three key areas: technical ability, presentation skills and of course, taste.
Steve Lovegrove, Head of Business Excellence - Central Marketing, Compass UK & Irelan, said, “It was brilliant to see first-hand the amazingly talented baristas that we have across our business. Huge congratulations to Cristian Fernando of Compass Group, Italy for winning the inaugural competition.
'My sincere thanks go to every single barista who kept us highly entertained by showcasing their enviable skills, so much so, that we’re already planning our next event!”
Louise Cheadle, Co-Founder of Teapigs added “These expert baristas showed teapigs Matcha at its finest! The Matcha was expertly blended, tasted delicious and presented beautifully.”
Agnieszka Wojciechowska of Restaurant Associates came a close second and took home the runner-up prize of £100 worth of shopping vouchers and a teapigs gift bundle set.
The winner received an exclusive tea tasting and blending session with Cheadle, a Teapigs gift bundle set, and a £200 shopping voucher