The 2012  Cairns Regional Barista Competition will again be held at the Cairns Show to showcase and promote the  talent of top local Baristas in the art of brewing and serving specialty coffee. 

Co-organised by the Cairns Show Association and the Australasian Specialty Coffee Association (AASCA), the event will be held at the Annual Cairns Show 18th - 20th July, Cairns' largest community event and the largest Regional Show in Australia.    

The event is sanctioned under AASCA guidelines and will be conducted under World Barista Competition Rules, providing an automatic place for the winner to compete in the Queensland Championships and if successful then progress to the Australian and World Championships.

We hope to be introducing new formats and competitions for the 2012 Event so be sure to visit this page regularly to find out whats new.

Our 2011 Judges

2011 Head Judge, Mr Saxon Wright. Owner of Australian Independent Roasters since 2003, Mr Wright is dedicated to producing excellence in the art of coffee roasting. Mr Wright is a World Barista Competition Accredited Judge who brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the event.

Mr Phil McKnight and Ms Penny Lowe.

Phil has owned arguably one of Sydney's most successful cafe's, Swerve, located in Mosman, for the past 7 years. Phil has also developed a Precision Dosing Tool & Method, currently undergoing International Patent examination. He was most recently engaged by Scottie Callaghan, current Australian Barista Champion & third at the World Barista Championships, to modify his two competition grinders to give him the edge in London. An accredited AASCA Judge, Phil has judged at both State & regional competitions."

Penny is a passionate, dynamic and professional member of the coffee industry whom enjoys advocating locally and globally for specialty coffee. Over the years, Penny has applied her unique talents weaving her creative magic through numerous industries including the arts, education and coffee. Since being an Australian Barista Champion in 1996, she has worked as an Educator, Director, Accredited Judge, Barista, Roaster, Academic, Teacher and Writer.

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2011 WINNERS

1st Nigel Giacomi - Coffee Fix

2nd Alberta Slotemaker - Industry One Coffee

3rd Oliver James – Caffiend

4th Fergus Power – Industry One Coffee

5th Luke Kim – Industry One Coffee

6th Callum McDonald

7th Simon Pelmel - Shangri La Hotel

8th James Johnston – Trinity Bay High

Nigel Giacomi won an automatic place to represent the Cairns Region and compete in the Queensland Championships held in Brisbane.

Thank you to all our sponsors for your support of this event.

Inaugural Cairns Regional Barista Competition

The first Cairns Regional Barista Competition was held at the 2009 Cairns Show - showcasing and promoting the expertise, creativity and talent of top local baristas in the art of brewing and serving specialty coffee.

Co-organised by the Cairns Show Association and the Australasian Specialty Coffee Association (AASCA), the event  was a huge success with competitors from Cairns local cafes eager to win the title of Cairns Best Barista.

Highlights from the 2009 Cairns Show Barista Competition