The Number One Highlight of SNBC 2011

Required Reading – Tonx Opens Micro-Roastery

Posted in barista, brewed, coffee, home-barista, News, Required Reading, Roasts on December 20th, 2011 by Colin Loh

I followed a link on facebook posted by Espressoparts that coffee blogger Tonx opened up a micro-roastery in an article in LA Weekly by Tien Nguyen. This article is required reading. Yes, I’ve even started a category that is titled “Required Reading”. This category will contain my favourite reads from now on.

The LA Weekly article went on to… Continue reading

Tags: blogger, brewed, coffee, espresso, home-barista, roastery, subscription, tonx, usa

World Barista Championships 2011 – Singapore’s Ryan Tan

Posted in barista, championship, wbc, world on June 3rd, 2011 by Colin Loh

The World Barista Championships are underway! Singapore’s Ryan Kieran Tan (Papa Palheta) was the first of 52 baristi to perform his routine. Check out his meticulous clockwork performance.

[Update: Ryan Kieran Tan came in at rank #28 of 52 countries for Singapore. Congratulations, Ryan!]… Continue reading

Tags: barista, championship, espresso, papa-palheta, wbc, world, world barista championship

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A Day in the Life of a Barista Trainee at Oriole Coffee

Posted in barista, Cafe, championship, espresso, oriole, oriole-coffee-roasters, singapore on May 23rd, 2011 by Colin Loh

I was formerly a barista trainer at The Line Restaurant at Shangri-la Hotel. I quit rather than having to compromise on quality issues. Now, I’m a barista trainee at Oriole Coffee. Does this bother me? Let me elaborate ….

My work day starts at 7.00 am. I open up the Republic Plaza outlet of Oriole Coffee Espresso and Brew Bar together with my colleagues. I get to calibrate coffee that is… Continue reading

Tags: barista, championship, coffee, espresso, naked-portafilter, oriole, roast, singapore, snbc

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Oriole Coffee The Bodum Way

Posted in barista, Cafe, espresso, john, nespresso, onirio, oriole, oriole-coffee-roasters, Roasts, singapore, taste, ting on May 11th, 2011 by Colin Loh

On this coming weekend of 14th, 15th May and on the next weekend of 21st, 22nd May, Oriole Coffee Roasters will be making Bodum French Press presentations at Takashimaya Shopping Centre at Ngee Ann City. The baristi instructing the Bodum French Press class are past Singapore National Barista Champions, John Ting (2008, 2009) and Keith Loh (2010).

Of special mention and also an update to this blog post is… Continue reading

Tags: aceh, barista, Bodum, champion, espresso, ethiopia, keith, loh, nespresso, onirio, oriole, sidamo, singapore, sumatra, takengon, ting

Getting To Do What You Love

Posted in barista, Cafe, jimseven, News, singapore on April 12th, 2011 by Colin Loh

“Getting to do what you love…”

As far back as I can remember, I have been quite lucky and have always managed to turn my passion into a job. I’ve done this with comics and toys for 14 years. Now, I’ve elected to do the same with my other love, coffee. Walking away from a barista

Tags: barista, cappuccino, espresso, jimseven, latte_art, singapore

The Big Picture

Posted in barista, championship, competition, News, Rant, singapore, wbc, world on March 29th, 2011 by Colin Loh

“As a barista trainer, I would rather resign than compromise on the quality of coffee and training I deliver.” And I did. My last day in The Line [Restaurant] will be April 25th. Sorry, I can’t bring myself to conduct training in a manner that would set the quality of coffee in Singapore back to the Dark Ages. It’s not what I signed up for.

I posted this on… Continue reading

Tags: barista, challenge, championship, coffee, espresso, facebook, singapore, snbc, wbc, world, world barista championship

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Singapore National Barista Championships 2011 Winners

Posted in barista, championship, competition on March 23rd, 2011 by Colin Loh

This is coming live from the floor of SNBC 2011. The winners are

Best Espresso: Keith Loh

Keith won his 2nd Vario Baratza grinder.

1st: Ryan Tan (Papa Palheta)

2nd: Keith Loh (Oriole)

3rd: Suhaimie Sukiman (CuppaChoice)… Continue reading

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My Singapore National Barista Championships 2011 Pre-Day 3 Predictions

Posted in barista, championship, competition, Rant, singapore, wbc, world on March 23rd, 2011 by Colin Loh

Having watched the Day 1 and Day 2 performances of these finalists, and having predicted ALL the SNBC 2010 winners last year, my pick this year before even watching the finals are: (in no particular order ;) not wanting to give them undue stress) 1st: Keith Loh (Oriole Cafe) 2nd: Ryan Tan (Papa Palheta) 3rd: Suhaimie Sukiman (CuppaChoice)

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Singapore National Barista Championships Day 2 Highlights

Posted in barista, championship, competition, News, singapore, wbc, world on March 23rd, 2011 by Colin Loh

Actually, I’m not even done writing about SNBC 2011 Day 1. There is an information overload from the stuff and experience one can get going to expos like these. I’ve pulled a few shots from a La Marzocco Strada, spoken to most of the SNBC competitors about their passion, their signature drinks, spoken to the judges, got a few tips on how to roast, how to cup, how to blend… Continue reading

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