Mitr Phol BC Finalists

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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The Number One Highlight of SNBC 2011

Posted in barista, Cafe, championship, competition, News, Pulls, singapore on March 22nd, 2011 by Colin Loh

The number one highlight of Singapore National Barista Championships 2011, held in conjunction with Tea & Coffee World Cup Singapore (for me) has to be Oriole Coffee Roasters’ brand spanking new espresso machine, the La Marzocco Strada! This is the first Strada to appear in Asia, according to May Soo of Wineberry, the La Marzocco distributor in Singapore. This is the Strada EP (Electronic Paddle).

: The translucent side panels give us an inkling of the internals

: From the customer’s viewpoint. Sadly, they don’t get to see the naked pours.

: So hot it sizzles

: Leaving no stone unturned, which is what the La Marzocco Street Team did, by re-designing the portafilter …

: to make it easier for baristi to ….

: The La Marzocco Pressure Profiling Cheat Sheet

Tags: barista, championship, espresso, keith, La_Marzocco, naked-portafilter, oriole, ristretto, singapore, snbc, strada

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Singapore National Barista Championships 2011 Day 1 Highlights

Posted in barista, championship, competition, News, singapore, wbc, world on March 22nd, 2011 by Colin Loh

I wrote a first draft of a post I extremely liked until the wee hours of this morning, but I felt I was straying from the subject heading too much, therefore, although I feel it should justly be the highlight of this entire event, I shall address it last instead.

For those heading out to Singapore National Barista Championships, running alongside Tea & Coffee World Cup Asia today and… Continue reading

Tags: americano, barista, championship, competition, espresso, jimseven, latte_art, naked-portafilter, oriole, sans-crema, signature, singapore, snbc

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SNBC 2011 and The story so far

Posted in barista, championship, competition, singapore, wbc, world on March 21st, 2011 by Colin Loh

I know I have not been blogging for a long while. It’s almost like taking a long hiatus, but I hope to be able to start writing again. My wish to participate in the coffee industry has been answered, and since 2010, I’ve been hired as a barista in a bistro, then a cafe, and now I’m a full fledged barista trainer in a prestigious hotel. More about myself in… Continue reading

Tags: barista, championships, diamant, expobar, national, singapore

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Yet Another CuppaChoice Latte Art Throwdown

Posted in barista, competition, cupping on November 11th, 2010 by Colin Loh

CuppaChoice is organising another Latte Art Throwdown on Thursday, November 18 from 7:00pm to 9:30pm at their cafe. Entry fee for the competition will be $5 per person, with the final pot as the prize. Interested participants, please email Suhaimie. Knowing CuppaChoice, there’ll be some unorthodox weirdness thrown in for effect. From what I can remember, they’ve organized blindfolded latte art competitions… Continue reading

Tags: competition, cuppachoice, espresso, latte_art, suhaimie_sukiman

Tuesday Night Throwdown At Oriole

Posted in competition on July 12th, 2010 by Colin Loh

Come and pit your latte art skills amongst cheap booze and fellow coffee compadres once again at Oriole’s now infamous Tuesday NIght Throwdown. (or you could just come for the cheap booze!)

5 Buckaroos per person
winner takes all + ultimate bragging rights!
other attractive prizes (wine, dining vouchers, e.t.c.)

knockout format. don’t be shy. all can play!

Ask your friends along! Remember: more participants = BIGGER… Continue reading

Tags: challenge, competition, latte_art, oriole