Due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19 SCA Ireland has decided to postpone the Irish Brewers Cup competition. A new date will be announced following guidance from the HSE. We apologise for this inconvenience.

Updated 25/11/19 to reflect sponsorship changes. SCA Ireland would like to announce the following with regards to the national competitions:

•Barista competition: Tuesday the 4th of February 2020 to be held at Food and Bev Live in Citywest. The online registration for the competition is now open https://scaireland.ie/irish-barista-championship-2020/

•Latte Art competition: Wednesday the 5th February 2020 at Food and Bev Live in City West. The online registration for the competition is now open https://scaireland.ie/irish-latte-art-championship-2020/

•Cupping competition : We’re proud to announce that Silverskin Coffee Roasters have offered to provide sponsorship for this competition. The competition will now be held on Tuesday the 4th of February at Food & Bev Live 2020 in Citywest. The online registration is now open https://scaireland.ie/irish-cup-taster-championship-2020/

•Brewers Cup competition: The Brewers Cup competition will take place on Saturday the 15th of February 2020 in the Cloud Picker Roastery. The registration is now open https://scaireland.ie/irish-brewers-cup-championship-2020/

•Coffee in Good Spirits competition – Sponsor agreed. Date and venue to be confirmed.

This Sunday (July 7th) after the third annual Liberties Brewers Cup at Legit Coffee Co we will be hosting a small Q&A and panel talk with all 5 of the 2019 national coffee champions along with a WCE judge!

Come along this Sunday to see what our champions have to say and if you have any questions for them drop them in a comment below or message us on Twitter or Instagram! On the day you’ll get to hear from:

• Stephen Houston – Irish Brewers Cup champion.
• Renata Khedun – Irish Latte Art champion
• Wojciech Tysler – Irish Barista champion
• Martino Giuseppe – Irish Aeropress champion
• Daniel Horbat – 2019 World Cup Tasters champion
• Renata Malyszko – 5 time WCE Judge

We are so excited for tomorrows competition, which is set to be a brilliant day!
The competition will kick off at 10am, and run until about 5pm. Apart from the competition, throughout the day there will be lots of delicious coffee, snacks, food and drinks, as well as some interesting talks, and some amazing giveaways, thanks to our friends at Cloud Picker.

To view the running order of the day, click here.

Also, to celebrate the day, the team at Cloudpicker will be giving 15% off any coffee on their webshop until Sunday 12am when you use discount code CUPTASTERS2019, to view their current selection click here.
Now, lets meet the competitors!

Zsofia Csepe

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
Hey!! I am Zsofia ( noooo the Z is not silent).  I am Hungarian

Jason Hyndman

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
My name is Jason, and I’m currently work as a barista in 5A, Belfast.

2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
2 years ago I entered the Irish Brewers as my first competition, also hosted by Cloud Picker.3) Why did you decide to enter the Cup Tasters?
Sensory in coffee is one of my favourite aspects about coffee. I also think cup tasters is a great way to challenge yourself.4) What would your autobiography be called?
Stumbling through life.5) And who would play you when said autobiography is made into a film?
Colin Farrell.6) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?
Permanent god shots when dialing in new coffees.7) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
Rwanda. I think the coffee produced there is super underrated when placed next to other African coffees from countries like Ethiopia & Kenya.8) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
Last year I volunteered at WoC Amsterdam. That was my first WoC event and I had a blast.9) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?
Climbing shoes, chalk, and sunglasses.10) What first drew you to working in the coffee industry and if you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?
It started off as a student job, I never expected it to lead me to this point.
I have a Bachelors degree in Electronic Engineering, so something with that probably.

11) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.
The Wonder Years – Coffee Eyes

12) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
An Owl, they’re intelligent and can fly.

13) What person in the coffee industry most inspires you and why?
It’s too hard to name just one person. I’d say James Hoffmann for his insight over the years, and Scott Tedder for helping me develop a lot of my skills as a barista.

Andrew Fox

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
27 year old. Worked in hospitality for almost ten years firstly as a chef then a barista and a coffee roaster. Started competing in coffee competitions 3 years ago.
2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
Yes the latte art comp for the last 3 year’s.3) Why did you decide to enter the Cup Tasters?
Another way to learn and to progress. Also good fun and great way to socialise with like minded coffee lovers.4) What would your autobiography be called?
Non lo so.

Brian Noonan

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
I’m Brian, I have been working in Coffee for 4 years and I currently manage the Badger and Dodo Cafe in Galway.2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
Yes I have competed in Cup Tasters last year and I have also competed in the national AeroPress competition.3) Why did you decide to enter the Cup Tasters?
I took part last year and really enjoyed the training. It’s a great opportunity to cup a lot of coffees in a short period of time.4) What would your autobiography be called?
‘The Life of Brian’

5) And who would play you when said autobiography is made into a film?
The Rock!!6) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?
The ability to make latte art with soy milk 😉

7) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
Colombia – Coffee by day, Party by night.

8) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
Working the World of Coffee in Dublin, I had an opportunity to meet a lot of new people from the industry, drink amazing coffee and watch some competitions.

9) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?Mp3 Player/AeroPress/Penknife.

10) What first drew you to working in the coffee industry and if you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?
I wanted to work in an industry that I was passionate about and felt my interpersonal skills mixed with my science background would produce and go combination to apply to the coffee industry.

11) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.
Grindin’ by Clipse.

12) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
Badger…for the craic!

13) What person in the coffee industry most inspires you and why?
Matt Perger because his research is cutting edge and his explanations of complex ideas are very practical.

Renata Khedun

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.?
My name is Renata Khedun, I’m a coffee lover. I been working with coffee 9 years.

Gary Hollywood

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
Gary Hollywood, Bewleys, Love my family and love my coffee.

2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
Yes, cup tasters 4 times, latte art twice, aeropress twice, one of which successful.3) Why did you decide to enter the Cup Tasters?
Good Craic, good to compete with industry peers4) What would your autobiography be called?
One Night In Hollywood.

5) And who would play you when said autobiography is made into a film?

Ryan Gosling, someone said I look like him….

6) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?

Uber-milk fingertips, or extracto vision…

7) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
Nicaragua, to see the work Bewleys have done with Soppexcca.

8) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
Brought home a bag of Kenya AA from a cafe in Holland 3 years ago and we still talk about it

9) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?
Aeropress, keep cup, wife.

10) What first drew you to working in the coffee industry and if you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?
Necessity, I needed a job and then fell in love with it.. I’d be an unhappy sound tech.

11) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.
Under Pressure.

12) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
A headless chicken.13) What person in the coffee industry most inspires you and why?
3 people…
Wojciech Tysler. For Perseverance.
Elvis Matiejunas, amazing coach.
And Damian Marshall, industry know all and silver fox.

Khedun Viswarnath

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
Am a barista love making coffee.

2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
Yes

3) Why did you decide to enter the Cup Tasters?
I just decide to enter.

4) What would your autobiography be called?
I can’t think about now. To early for that

5) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?
I don’t need super power in coffee. Am already powerfull enough

6) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
Ethiopia. Because that were coffee was discover.

7) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
Still waiting for that day to come.

8) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?
I don’t think I will get trapped because people will be looking for me to brew coffee

Andrew Willis

Luis Alvarez

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
My name is Luis Alvarez, Mechanical Engineer by trade, Coffee Professional by accident. Found my passion for coffee around 5 years go, I’ve worked in the coffee industry as a Barista, Trainer, Training Manager and most recently Quality Control Coffee consultant for Java Republic Coffee Company. I love teaching and sharing my passion for coffee, I believe in education as a way to change people’s minds towards coffee.2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
Yes! Several times, I’ve done the Latte Art Championship, Barista Championship and AeroPress.3) Why did you decide to enter the Cup Tasters?
Because I’ve never entered before, so it was a new challenge for me. And I want free holidays like everyone else. 4) What would your autobiography be called?
Tales of an Caffeinated Expat Ginger Colour-blind5) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?
I thin reading the TDS with my eyes could SO helpful as of late. 6) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
Rwanda, Kenya, Panama and Colombia. Because I love their taste profile, the way how coffee is produced and I also have friends in those countries. 7) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
Travelling to origin in Colombia a couple of years ago, travelling to World of Coffee in Budapest, Achieving 3rd place in the Irish Latte Art Championship, doing a coffee trip to Berlin and most recently becoming an AST in Athens, Greece.8) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?
An helicopter with a pilot and lots of fuel, a satellite phone and some food.

9) If you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?
I’m a Mechanical Engineer, so probably I’d be designing stuff on Autocad.

10) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.
Hoobastank – The Reason (cheesy AF)

11) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
A Panther, fast and agile. 

12) A fact about yourself that you’re embarrassed to admit to a room of new people.
I always go to Marks&Spencer looking for reduced stuff. #LifeGoalzzzzz

Raul Roig Duarte

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
Spanish 28 year old guy who fell in love with coffee 2 years ago.2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
Yes, latte art.3) Why did you decide to enter the Cup Tasters?
Its all about coffee, experiencing, and learning.4) What would your autobiography be called?
I don’t know yet.

5) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?
Being able to do everything in latte art.

6) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
Colombia and Ethiopia are my two favourites so far.

7) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
Lots of them, mostly with customers.

8) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?
Knife lighter water

9) What first drew you to working in the coffee industry and if you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?

Teaching.

10) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.
Entre dos aguas

11) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
Eagle, I love flying

12) What person in the coffee industry most inspires you and why?
Elvis Seivijus Matiejunas, he was my latte art coacher ,I learned a lot from him, and I am here in part because of him.

Ieva Japertaite

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.

Sure look… is that a dog that needs to be petted??

2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
Yes, I’ve competed in Brewers Cup 2018, It was too stressful- I don’t know how the rest of them do it year in year out… I’ll stick to judging instead.

3) Why did you decide to enter the Cup Tasters?
It was on a dare really- I called myself out- if I won Coffee Culture “put your money where your mouth is” at Catex, I said i’d enter…

4) What would your autobiography be called?
As per… “My name is spelled with an i”

5) And who would play you when said autobiography is made into a film?
It would have to be Clint Eastwood or Morgan Freeman- great actors so they are…

6) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?
I would make all coffee alkaline- so it wouldn’t dehydrate you and wouldn’t give you upset stomach and heart palpitations….

7) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
Still haven’t gone to Mexico…

8) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
I met my other half during a discussion about coffee.. the rest is history..

9) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?
Endless supply of nappies, my boyfriend and coconut oil… (i’ve misplaced Colin Harmon’s book and you can’t make nappies out of duct tape- hence the changes since last questioner)

10) What first drew you to working in the coffee industry and if you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?
It all started during recession, but turned into an amazing opportunity. However soon I will be on a bit of a vacation from my day job….

11) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.
Foo Fighters “All My Life”

12) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
Recently I contemplated being a lizard- lying on a hot rock in the sun for most of the day- it’s a lot more appealing than it sounds..

13) What person in the coffee industry most inspires you and why?
You know, I’m really inspired by all new baristas and how some of them get so into it, so passionate about the details/ aromas/ flavours/ interaction with customers & colleagues- majority of us have been that barista- when everything was so new and exciting- we should try and retain that, the industry and us personally will benefit greatly from that.

Wojciech Tysler

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
Originally I’m from Poland I have been live in Ireland for 14 years and a I Love coffee

2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
Couple of times Irish barista championships , coffee masters in London 2018 , and cup tasters 2018 , Im current Irish Barista Champion

3) Why did you decide to enter the Cup Tasters?
Fun and good challenge

4) What would your autobiography be called?
A man with big nose

5) And who would play you when said autobiography is made into a film?
Nicolas Cage

6) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?
extracto-vision

7) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
African coffees -mostly Kenya , I love the unique taste and would like to go for safari

8) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
Won Irish Barista Championships 2019.

9) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?
Water , v60 , good coffee

10) What first drew you to working in the coffee industry and if you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?
I would love to work in Manhattan peanuts on production line

11) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.
We are the Champions by Queen

12) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
Bird- Unlimited flyes for life – never paying for Ryanair tickets again.

13) What person in the coffee industry most inspires you and why?
Current world barista Champion with her determinations and skills

Seivijus Matiejunas (Elvis)

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
COFFEE….;)

2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
Yes, I did few times, Latte Art, Cup Tasting, Brewers and Barista competition a long time ago…

3) Why did you decide to enter the Cup Tasters?
I love filter coffee and I am brewing it every morning!!!  Plus, Cup Tasting is testing your sensory skills to identify the difference between the coffees and it is a good opportunity to try different coffees too

4) What would your autobiography be called?
Sweet Spot!

5) And who would play you when said autobiography is made into a film?
Grinder!!!

6) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?
Master Taster!!!

7) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
I would love to visit Ethiopia because it all started there…

8) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
Visiting coffee farms in Brazil and Sumatra!

9) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?
Coffee, Grinder and Water.

10) What first drew you to working in the coffee industry and if you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?
LIFE dragged me into it and then I started to Love it and wanted to learn more and more about coffee!!!

11) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.
“Prodigy” – Firestarter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

11) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
I would be a dog!!! I would always have a friend next to me and my life would be a fun game

12) What person in the coffee industry most inspires you and why?
It’s not one person, all coffee people who are dedicated to coffee, competing in competitions, not giving up until they are winning it! They are my inspiration!!!

Stephen Houston

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
Hi I’m Stephen Houston, I’m 33 years old and I’m the Head Roaster at Bailies Coffee Roasters based in Belfast.2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
Yes I have, I’ve done brewers cup 3 times, cup tasters twice, UK batch brewers cup, Barista league and entered in barista next month.

Reda Matiejune

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
My name is Reda. I am barista, trainer and coffee enthusiast. I work as a training manager in Butlers Chocolate Cafes

I love coffee and cacao 🙂

I bumped into the coffee world 10 years ago and since  than it became one of my passions. I am always learning about specialty coffee mostly by surrounding myself with people who share the same passion in many coffee events/training  and projects around the world.

I started as a hobby but became my one of favourite race :)….

2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
Yes, few times. I love to attend coffee events as competitor, coach or judge – it is incredible privilege to learn and share precious  moments of the coffee world

3) Why did you decide to enter the Cup Tasters?
Good ideas start with a great coffee always. It is a great fun and opportunity to challenge myself 😉

4) What would your autobiography be called?
“Great run of my life is like a cup of coffee”

5) And who would play you when said autobiography is made into a film?
Myself and Drago (Italian Mastiff) – haha

6) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?
I would love to scan coffee TDS with my eyes 😉

7) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
I never visited Africa yet – so Kenya or Ethiopia.

8) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
Orangutan Coffee project. It is sustainable project started 2013 which main goal is to initiate a sustainable business process aimed at protecting the orangutans, the tropical forest and improve the livelihood basis for families involved in the coffee project.

9) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?

A hammock for a rest

My dog Drago for the company (should I pick a husband ??) Haha. Not this time – sorry Elvis

A boat to get us off island

10) What first drew you to working in the coffee industry and if you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?
I got a job in the cafe and didn’t take long to realise that coffee makes my job interesting and enjoyable.

If I wouldn’t be working in coffee industry I would be a dog trainer probably 🙂

11) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.
Imagine Dragons  “whatever it takes”12) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
A Dog (it is not a surprise for any person who know me well ;))
I love them trust and honesty and they are the best teachers of pure love
Dogs can sniff out lies and problems too with uncanny accuracy 😉
If my dog doesn’t like you neither I do- hahaha

13) What person in the coffee industry most inspires you and why?

Alin Giriada is a the best inspiration. I love his personality and his skills.

Erika Lucia Acosta Sierra

Daniel Horbat

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
34 Male with awesome beard and beautiful tattoos

2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
Yes3) Why did you decide to enter the Cup Tasters?To win4) What would your autobiography be called?Win at all cost

5) And who would play you when said autobiography is made into a film?

Nobody.

6) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?
I never thought of that

7) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
Thailand.8) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?

Brewing my morning coffee on my awesome moccamaster filter machine

9) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?
Next question

10) What first drew you to working in the coffee industry and if you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?

I don’t remember, was over 14 years ago

11) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.
Bliss-Dunia

12) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
I think being me is enough

13) What person in the coffee industry most inspires you and why?
All the people that trusted me always and push me to keep going.

Gabriel Tudorin

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
Hi,my name is Gabriel!
1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
Hi,my name is Gabriel!2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
Yes3) Why did you decide to enter the Cup Tasters?
I wanna try some delicious wine!4) What would your autobiography be called?
A star is born!

5) And who would play you when said autobiography is made into a film?
Lady Gaga!6) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?
Next7) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
Columbia,cuz i wanna try some of the Escobar’s coffees!8) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
Latte art competition!9) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?
Drinks,girls and Viagra!10) What first drew you to working in the coffee industry and if you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?

Talking with pretty girls.

For sure i will work for Brazzers!

11) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.
My heart will go on!

12) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
Monkey,cuz i scratch my ……non stop!

13) What person in the coffee industry most inspires you and why?
Me, because i have no idea what i m doing and people thinks that i m a barista

 

Anna Krokosz

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
My name is Anna I have worked in Coffee for 3+ years

2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
No.

3) Why did you decide to enter the Cup Tasters?
To challenge my taste buds and progress in the Coffee industry

4) What would your autobiography be called?
Anna….what went wrong.

5) And who would play you when said autobiography is made into a film?
Joe Pesci

6) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?Predict the awkward coffees in advance

7) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
Peru for the coffee and the life experience

8) What’s the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
Joining Badger and Dodo team!

9) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?
V60/Filters/Grinder (Assuming its a coffee producing island)

10) What first drew you to working in the coffee industry and if you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?
Destiny! Drawing/Painting

11) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.
Totally wired – The Fall

11) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
Seagul – loud and annoying!!!!

12) What person in the coffee industry most inspires you and why?
Brock aka The Badger – He has a great way of introducing the public to specialty

Niall Wynn

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
I am owner of Proper Order and the 2017 Irish barista Champion2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
Too many!!3) Why did you decide to enter the Cup Tasters?
To give myself a little challenge and get an idea of where my skills are4) What would your autobiography be called?
Niall Wynn – 50% good guy 50% fried chicken

5) And who would play you when said autobiography is made into a film?
Action Bronson6) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?
Reractometer Finger7) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
Ethiopia – I’ve been told they’re the most wonderful people in the world

8) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
Seeing my wife win the 2018 Irish Brewers Cup9) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?
A fridge, a deep fryer, and a few chickens10) What first drew you to working in the coffee industry and if you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?

I was a really bad science teacher – if I wasn’t doing coffee I’d probably be doing that.

11) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.
Under Pressue – Queen & David Bowie

12) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
Bram the Wolfhound- So I could ruin Colin Harmons day

13) What person in the coffee industry most inspires you and why?

It changes from time to time – but I always look to people like Gwilym Davies, Klaus Thompson, Stephen Morrisey and James Hoffman. They’ve remained relevant figures in our industry for over a decade now by reinventing themselves and seeing through short term trends.

Without our fantastic sponsors, we would never be able to run such successful events and competitions. 

Cloud Picker Coffee Roastery

Cloud Picker was established in 2013 by Frank Kavanagh & Peter Sztal. Having worked in graphic design and corporate banking respectively, they decided to take the leap and open up their own coffee roastery. The name Cloud Picker came from a trip to Northern Thailand where they visited a coffee farm in the Doi Chang area on the Thai / Burma border and went up through the clouds to see the coffee pickers!

Cloud Picker is Dublin City’s first micro coffee roastery, located on Sheriff Street. Here they hand roast their coffee to order on the esteemed Giesen roaster. Borne from passion, curiosity and the quest to create a unique coffee product for the Irish market. Their café is in Science Gallery on Pearse Street and also wholesale to cafés and restaurants around the city and nationwide. Cloud Picker are uber excited to be opening the door of their first high street cafe on Pearse before Easter and hope you’ll all come visit!
For Cloud Picker, it’s very important for them to know where their coffee is grown, the conditions of the farms and how the coffee pickers are treated. To do this, they travelled to origin and in 2013 went to Brazil and met with Felipe & Marcos Croce of FAF Coffees and in 2014 we went to El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala. Here they met with farmers such as Emilio Lopez of Cuatro M cafés. Since this, they have been importing from their farms. It is through this work that Cloud Picker aim for build longterm relationships while also further ensuring they receive top quality green coffee.

This is the second National competition that we’ve worked with Cloud Picker on, and many of you will remember what a great weekend was had there at the 2016 Irish Brewers Cup Championship. For the Irish Cup Tasters 2019, Cloud Picker have opened the doors of their roastery and provided us with their beautiful space, their resources, enthusiasm and energy to host the competition. They have also sourced and roasted all of the competition coffee our competitors will be slurping on Saturday.  We are so thrilled to partner with them in this years competition.
Visit Cloud Picker’s Website
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Visit Cloud Picker’s Twitter

Marco Beverage Systems

Marco Beverage Systems Ltd are one of the leading hot water delivery companies in the world. This Irish company specialises in providing hot water systems, coffee brewers and tea brewers for savvy brew enthusiasts around the globe and theres no doubt you will have seen them in use in many of your favourite cafes throughout Ireland, because of their consistency and reliability when working in a busy environment.

We are delighted to have Marco as one of the sponsors of  the Irish Cup Tasters 2019. Marco provide all of the brewing equipment and hot water systems for the competition each year, and on the day will be behind the scenes, brewing up all of the competition coffee.
Visit Marco’s Website
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Brita

In the ’60s, Heinz Hankammer founded the company BRITA, inspired by his daughter’s name. The idea behind it: to optimise tap water and in 1970, Brita launched the first water filter jug. As any good barista will know that the secret to a great coffee is using great water, with the standard cup of cup is made up of between 90 – 98 percent water, making it the most important ingredient in brewing. Elements in water can influence your coffee’s taste, consistency and appearance. Brita now produce an entire range of filters, specifically for use in coffee shops and for brewing coffee.The result: water that tastes cleaner and fresher and aids in the brewing process.

We are delighted to have Brita as one of our sponsors for the Irish Cup Tasters 2019.
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Urnex

Urnex Brands, LLC, originally the Royal Urn Bag Company, was founded in 1936 to help the roasters and brewers in Manhattan deliver delicious coffee to demanding customers.

Urnex has come a long way since then, but their products have always represented the highest standards of quality, consistency, and effectiveness. Urnex pride themselves on their long history as a manufacturing organisation and the close relationships of trust and communication they have built with their customers around the world. Creating products based on proprietary formulas developed through an intimate understanding of coffee equipment allows Urnex to offer a solution for every brewing need.

We are delighted to have Urnex as one of our sponsors for the Irish Cup Tasters 2019.
Visit Urnex’s Website
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Join us for a day packed full of amazing competitors, each of whom will be battling it out with the hopes of being crowned the winner of the 2019 Irish Cup Tasters Champion! The winner of the competition will go on to represent Ireland in the 2019 World Cup Tasters Championship.

Registration for this competition is now closed. 

Attendance tickets are free of charge, but pre-booking is essential, so click here to register your place and come along to cheer on your favourite competitor!

We are also on the look out for a few volunteers to assist with the running of the competition on the day. If you are interested in volunteering, please register here and we will be in contact shortly.

With thanks to our amazing sponsors, Cloud Picker Coffee Roasters, Marco Beverage Systems, Brita and Urnex.

Ruben Garijo1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
My name is Ruben i’m 31 years old guy from Madrid (Spain) living in Ireland since 2014. Working in cafe since 2016 in Kilkenny Cafe where i found out my passion for industry. My other passions apart from coffee are football, travelling, science and food

2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
 No. This is my first time but won’t be the last

3) Why did you decide to enter the Latte Art Championship?
I love challenges and i wanted to make my first steps in this world about coffee competitions so when i had the chance i didn’t doubt it. 

4) What would your autobiography be called?
Expect the unexpected

5) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?
The ability of drawing everything i came to my mind as a latte art pattern

6) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
I’ve already visited Indonesia which would’ve been my first answer but i’d say then Costa Rica. Apart of the excellent coffee, beautiful beaches, landscapes and a lot to see inside the country will be my reasons 

7) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
I had the opportunity to visit a coffee plantation in Bali and that would be the best experience i have. I learnt a lot about the process and i could event taste different kind of coffees in a real coffee environment

8) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?
A knife e to survive and a pen and a empty book to write a best seller about my adventures while i’m there

9) If you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?
Something about science. I have a degree in Chemistry

10) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.
Stairway to heaven

11) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
I’d like to be a smart, elegant and agile one so i’d pick a cheetah in this one. 

12) A fact about yourself that you’re embarrassed to admit to a room of new people.
Life is too short to be embarrassed about anything

Raul R Duarte
1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
My name is Raul Roig, I am Spanish, 28 years old. I am a Primary School Teacher who came to Ireland lo improve the English and falled in love with coffee about 2 years ago, particularly  with the latte art.
I love nature, and music, I play sax and guitar

2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
No, this is my first time.

3) Why did you decide to enter the Latte Art Championship?
I think is an excelent opportunity that I would never miss. I want to share with you my latte art and make your day happier, if possible.

4) What would your autobiography be called?
I wouldnt know how yet…time will tell. But so far it would be: I you want, you can. no matter what.

5) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?
Being able to draw everything that comes up to my mind.

6) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
Brasil, Honduras and Ethiopia would be the top three. Why, because I have always wanted to go to the three of them, so if I could also visit a coffee farm, it would be wonderful.

7) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
I have a few, all of them with customers. Its really nice when apart from making a good coffee, and lovely latte art, serve it with a smile and interact with the people. To be a good barista you have to love them both, coffee and people.

8) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?
Fishing kit, Knife, Firelighters.       

9) If you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?
I would be teaching, as I am graduated as Primary School teacher.

10) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.
Entre dos aguas, Paco de Lucia. 

11) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
I would like to be a whale, or a shark. There is an undiscovered world under the sea, much bigger that the one we live in, and there would be small chances to be eaten by another animal….

12) A fact about yourself that you’re embarrassed to admit to a room of  people.
Once that I cut all hair up, and it took so long to grow again.

Renata Khedun

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
My name is Renata Khedun, I’m a Coffee lover. I been working with coffee 9 years.

2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
Yes, Iatte art and cup tasters.

3) Why did you decide to enter the Latte Art Championship?
 I love making latte art and to improve my skills.

4) What would your autobiography be called?
Life of coffee 

5) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?
Ability to create latte art designs in one go, without thinking.

6) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
Ethiopia, Kenya. I like African coffee.

7) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
Latte art competition in Brazil 🇧🇷 

8) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?
Shelter water and food to survive.

9) If you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?
Hairdresser, nail artist . So far this is my hobby. 

10) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.
Piano guys “titanium”

11) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
Octopus, I could do much more behind the coffee machine, than i can do now with two hands.

12) A fact about yourself that you’re embarrassed to admit to a room of new people.
Let’s say, I will keep it as a secret 

Gabriel Tudorin 

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
Hi,my name is Gabriel, i’m a barista and alcoholic!

2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
Yes, twice!

3) Why did you decide to enter the Latte Art ?

Deep inside me,i feel an artist!

4) What would your autobiography be called?

A star is born!

5) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?
I don’t need one!

6) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?

Brazil, because every year is a big carnaval threre!

7) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
3th place Latte art

8) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?
1girl, second girl, third girl!

9) If you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be ?

A priest!

10) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.
Jojo-disaster

11) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
Cheetah, because i’m very fast!

12) A fact about yourself that you’re embarrassed to admit to a room of new people.

I like my own farts!

Lais Miyadaira

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
Hey! I am Lais, 31. I am Head Barista at The Old Barracks Coffee Roastery. Love coffee, gym and Netflix.

2) Have you ever entered  coffee competition before?
Yes. 2 years ago at the Irish National Latte art Competition.

3) Why did you decide to enter the Latte Art Championship?
Because I love the atmosphere, I love challenges, I love meeting nice people and I want to learn more and more. 

 

4) What would your autobiography be called?
Give your best!

5) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?
Be  “rich and intense” lol

6) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?

Brazil because Brazil is the world’s largest coffee producer and because I am Brazilian and I’ve never visited any coffee farm over there.

7) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
I believe I’ll have the best coffee experience after this competition. I am going to visit a coffee farm in Gran Canaria.

8) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?
My husband, my phone, and sunglasses.

9) If you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?
Not sure, teaching probably.

10) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.

Because I’m happy  -” Clap along if you feel  like that’s what you wanna do”

11) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
A bird because it flies, sings and seems to be happy all the time.

12) A fact about yourself that you’re embarrassed to admit to a room of new people.
That I am super sensitive and I cry a lot for all reasons.

Filip Viskovic

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
My name is Filip, im 22 years old, ive been living in Ireland for 3 years. And ive been working in the coffee industry for two and a half years.

2) Have you ever entered  coffee competition before?
I have entered ILAC last year.

3) Why did you decide to enter the Latte Art Championship?
Latte art is a passion of mine since i starter working with coffee.

4) What would your autobiography be called?
It would be called Filip Viskovic Autobiography.

5) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?
The power to grind coffee with my mind.

6) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
I would love to visit Ethiopia because of tasty coffee of course.

7) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
Visiting network cafe and being introduced to speciality coffee in the best way possible.

8) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?
Food wather coffee.

9) If you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?
I would probably be a chef.

10) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.
Professional  Lil Dicky.

11) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
I would be a bear.

12) A fact about yourself that you’re embarrassed to admit to a room of new people.
I act tough most of the time but i am a softie in fact.

Bat-Erdene Bayaraa

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
My name is Baterdene. I’m from Mongolia and i moved here in dublin 3 years ago since then i’m working as a barista.
2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
Nationals is my second competition. First one was ubermilk throw down. 

3) Why did you decide to enter the Latte Art Championship?
I just love make art on a coffee.

4) What would your autobiography be called?
Some days on earth.

5) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?
100layer tulip in 8oz cup.

6) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
I would like to visit indonesia. Because i love the nature.

7) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
Coffeeangel Ubermilk throwdown was good experience for me.

8) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?
i would bring water, food and knife.

9) If you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?
Retail maybe never thought about it before.

10) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.
Brainstorm by arctic monkeys.

11) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
Dog – i love dogs so much.

12) A fact about yourself that you’re embarrassed to admit to a room of new people.
I drinks a lot of wine♂️

Guoliang Sun

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
I am a baristas. coffee man.

2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
no

3) Why did you decide to enter the Latte Art Championship?
learn pouring latte art.

4) What would your autobiography be called?
leo

5) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?
espresso

6) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
donot know

7) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
training for this competition

8) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?
latte.espresso espresso

9) If you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?
donot know

10) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.
lost boy

11) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
horse

12) A fact about yourself that you’re embarrassed to admit to a room of new people.
do not know.

Andrew Fox

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.

27 Years of age. Worked in Specialty coffee for 4 years. I have a passion for great food and coffee. Also a Trained chef.

2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
Yes this will be my third year cometing.

3) Why did you decide to enter the Latte Art Championship?
Always lookin to improve and move to the next level. Competition are a great way.

4) What would your autobiography be called?
THE FOX.

5) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?
Super Caffeine Tolerance. So I dont have to drink all my coffee before 1pm.

6) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
Brazil. Some of the first speciality coffee I tasted was Brazillian plus i have alot of freinds now from Brazil which i have met through the love of coffee and woul love to visit them. 

7) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
Too many to just pick one. Defintley meeting sound people.

8) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?
Lighter, knife, Water

9) If you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?
Still be a chef.

10) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.
Oops i did it again…People who have worked with me will agree.

11) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
Panda. I like to tumble.

12) A fact about yourself that you’re embarrassed to admit to a room of new people.

I used to steam milk before i made the espresso.

Alina Naoian

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.

My name is Alina i am 29 years old and  I’m a full time head barista in Esquires Coffee Carrick on Shannon since 2014. I always had a passion in coffee since i was child.

 

2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?
yes last year was my firs time in a coffee competition,same Latte Art.

3) Why did you decide to enter the Latte Art Championship?

Because i have potential in latte art and i want to prove that.

4) What would your autobiography be called?

Hard worker

5) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?
i would like to save the World, like that we’ll never lose the coffee.

6) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
Ethiopia because is one of the biggest coffee production country and I’am sure there are many things to learn and because I was always wander how the coffee is growing.

7) Whats the best coffee experience you’ve had to date?
For me last year competition was the best experience and that’s why i going back.

8) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?

Coffee, water and my dog

9) If you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?
probably an economist because is that what i’ve study.

10) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
i would like to be a dog, because i have a dog and dogs are the the most loyal animal and is part of family and my best friend.

Rita Torres

1) Briefly tell us about yourself.
A person like adventure.

2) Have you ever entered a coffee competition before?

No.

3) Why did you decide to enter the Latte Art Championship?
To challenge myself.

4) If you could have any coffee superpower, what would it be?

Coffee ninja

5) What coffee producing country would you most like to visit and why?
Costa Rica for delicious coffee

6) If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you bring?
Water, food and coffee

7) If you weren’t working in the coffee industry, what would you be doing?
Sports

8) Name of a song that best describes your coffee skills.

Musical Latina

9) If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
Horse. Loyal and strong.

10) A fact about yourself that you’re embarrassed to admit to a room of new people.
Difficult to remember names