It was the battle of the biggest and best coffee chains in Australia – and CIBO Espresso has come out the winner.
This year’s Equal Coffee Chain Challenge saw eight coffee chain stores from around the country geared up to battle it out for the title of the best coffee maker in Australia.
The field included back-to-back winner Cafenatics, Michels, Doughnut King, Mrs Fields, Krispy Kreme, ONA Coffee House, Hudsons and Adelaide-based CIBO Espresso.
Judged by a panel of industry professionals, their task was to create for the judges the best piccolo lattes, café lattes and signature drinks.
CIBO Espresso sent a team of its finest baristas to Melbourne for the challenge, which this year was considered one of the toughest since the competition began five years ago.
Dimitri Polihronas of Rundle Street, Douglas Bolzon of Glenelg and Jonny Pisanelli of Henley Beach performed like champions as CIBO Espresso and Cafenatics progressed through to the final round, with the Adelaide team finally taking out the title.
“This was definitely one of my proudest moments of being part of Cibo Espresso, and to be there to watch their brilliant win was amazing,” said CIBO Espresso Marketing Director Roberto Cardone. “It was inspiring to see just how professional and passionate our team was in what they do day in, day out for our Adelaide customers.”
The challenge is designed to recreate the pressure of the daily routine that exists in the great espresso bars around the world. Teams have 20 minutes to knock out 10 piccolo lattes, 10 regular café lattes and 10 designer lattes. Points were scored on taste, artistry, speed and temperature.
The CIBO team scored the highest points of any competing team with an almost perfect 97 in the first round. The final round saw them up against the reining champions Cafenatics, a very confident and highly regarded Melbourne coffee chain. Competing barista, Jonny Pisanelli said: “To beat the back to back champions on its home ground was an amazing feeling.”
Roberto said CIBO Espresso’s performance proved the company was now a force be reckoned with and had made a lasting impression on Melbourne coffee lovers.
“We’ll definitely be back next year to defend our title.”
For more information about the Coffee Chain Challenge and other Café Biz competitions go to: http://www.cafebiz.net/
