The Specialty Coffee Association of Southern Africa (SCASA) are set to thrill visitors with an exciting line-up of competitions at Hostex Cape 2012. SCASA will host the first regional Barista Championship of the 2013 cycle of competitions, which forms part of the National and World Barista Championships. 

For the three jam-packed days of Hostex Cape, from 15 to 17 May, the top baristas in Cape Town will take to the stage, aiming to dazzle judges with their skill and flair.  The winner of this regional leg of the competition will join 18 other hopefuls from around the country to compete in the National Barista Championship, taking place in 2013. In each of these competitions, Baristas are expected to prepare four espressos, four cappuccinos and four original signature drinks to exacting standards in a 15-minute performance set to music. Judges then evaluate each Barista’s performance, including the taste of beverages served, cleanliness, creativity, technical skill and overall presentation to determine the winners.

The ever-popular signature beverage allows Baristas to stretch their imagination and the judges’ palates to incorporate a wealth of coffee knowledge into an expression of their individual tastes and experiences.  In what promises to be a nail-biting final in 2013, the top six of the 24 finalists will prepare to dazzle the judges, and one winner will be named the South African Barista Champion, going on to represent South Africa at the World Barista Championship 2013, the world’s pre-eminent international coffee competition where at least 50 other countries compete as well.

There will also be a Cup Tasters and Latte Art Competition to give visitors an even more interactive and entertaining experience of coffee.  Taking place in the SCASA Village at Hostex throughout the three days of the show, the Cup Tasters competition will test the skill of competitors to distinguish between different coffee tastes.

Another competition to look out for at Hostex Cape 2012 is the ever-popular Global Pizza Challenge.

Interesting features include the South African Chefs Village, presented by Nestle Professional, which will feature some of South Africa’s best-known chefs entertaining and educating crowds with their culinary skills, as well as demos from Culinary Team SA members as they practice for the Culinary Olympics in October 2012.

Also not to be missed is the Hostex Wine Circle and the Hospitality Emporium.

Hostex Cape takes place from 15 to 17 May 2012 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, from 09:00 to 17:00 daily.

For further information, contact Lindy Taylor at Specialised Exhibitions on +27 (0) 11 835 1565 or email lindyt@specialised.com.

For more information on Hostex Cape, go to www.hostexcape.co.za.