PerthNorg

Jen can make coffee

Jennifer Murray of the WA Barista Academy has taken out first place in the WA Barista Championships.

In the final day of competition on March 16, Jen managed to pull off a narrow win against a strong field of baristas from around Western Australia.

The full WABC Winners List is as follows:

1st Jen Murray (WABA)

2nd Vanessa Epic)

3rd Mimma (Gloria Jeans)

4th Tracy (Mooba)

5th Jackson (Tiger Tiger)

6th Ryan (Epic)

Jennifer'd performance was smooth, polished and presented superbly. Everything from the made-on-time reductions and caramel for her signature drink to the on-table pours for the judges and a finish well within the time let to a huge points feast that should stand her in good stead in the finals over East.

The WA Cupping Challenge was also held on the same day and attracted an instant crowd of entrants going from just a couple to a full field by the time it was ready to start.

Noted coffee snob and cafe owner Terry Mason of T5 Espresso in Joondalup took part as did fellow snob Sam Iacobellis. Terry led the field through the first round where his score was eclipsed by Mike Fewson of Cafe 54. All were washed away in the final group when Matt of Abstract Gourmet blew the field away to lead by two points only to be pipped by an amazing performance from Catherine Ferrari of European Foods who showed incredible skills to pick 7 of the 8 possible correct coffees.

It was great to see a spread of judges from across the industry and some new faces at this year's event.

Great credit to Ben Bicknell and his team for their organisation of what was a very memorable WA Barista Championship and Cupping Challenge.