An interview with a barista participating in the competition

Zhou Yungui (Zhou Yungui)

Barista talk

We are very honored to have the opportunity to talk to Zhou Yungui, who is the 2009 Chinese barista champion. In this short article, the barista talk reveals the secret of his success.

Why did you become a barista?

I started my career in a coffee shop in 2002. At that time, I didn't know a lot about coffee. I have been studying every day from the beginning of my career to today, and then, in 2006, I had the opportunity to participate in the national coffee competition for the first time. Since then, I have been participating in the barista competition. I won the national championship in 2009.

How did you prepare for the competition?

There is a strong hope, coupled with diligence, more practice in order to become the champion of the competition. The most important thing is that you must never give up. Sometimes, you may make mistakes, but you must learn from experience, which will help you improve your skills. Of course, working in a coffee shop is different from making coffee on a competition table. When I was on stage for the first time, I was very excited and my hands trembled. But with more experience, I began to understand that making coffee in a competition is the same as making coffee for guests in a store. We must also concentrate on introducing the product to our customers. A high degree of attention is very important. We must stay away from unease or it will have an impact on the performance.

What's your creative drink?

When it comes to my creative drink, I was inspired by a butterfly. I think a butterfly's life is like a coffee contest. The preparation for our competition is very long, while the real competition only lasts 10 minutes. Competition makes me feel good, but it's also hard. It's like a butterfly. Although it is beautiful, its life is short. Therefore, I add salt to my creative drink to make it pleasant and salty, which represents hidden pain. In addition, I added roses and lemon peels to remind the audience of the colorful and lively spring when butterflies can be seen everywhere. All these combine to create a good cup of coffee.

What is your advice to Xinhuai barista?

It takes quite a long time to learn how to brew coffee. To make good coffee, you must be able to drink the actual taste and feeling of the coffee. If you drink a cup of coffee and you can't feel anything, you'll never know what it really tastes like, and there's no way to improve your skills. Therefore, it is important to have a deep understanding of coffee. People need to know how to adjust the proper water temperature, how to make coffee, and many other factors.

We still need a lot of determination. Sometimes, it's hard to make a cup of coffee and it feels bad. Just don't take it personally. You must learn to really love coffee before you will be happy to make coffee.

If you have a chance to compete, you can only try to make yourself feel comfortable and hide your excitement. Don't worry too much about the bonus. It's nice if you can win, but the most important thing is that you should never give up. As long as you continue to strive to do your best, your goal will be achieved one day. Don't let one failure stop you from taking another step towards success.

Benyapa Naowan

2009 Thai barista Championship

Why did you become a barista?

First of all, I like working in a restaurant and then I get used to it. In 2005, I became a store manager in Black Canyon, Thailand. Because of my curiosity, I tried every position, including cashier, working in the kitchen, and finally became a barista at the bar. Black Canyon offered basic coffee courses for new staff, which helped me adapt to my future work.

What's your favorite thing about being a barista?

I like to work behind the bar and create drinks according to customer orders. The most interesting part is the use of espresso as a drink.

What experience did you have before participating in the WBC competition?

Before the international competition, I took part in the barista competition in Thailand working at the Black Canyon Cafe. I just wanted to know what the barista competition was like and how I would feel. The result was unexpected. I won the company latte competition and represented the company in the Thai National Barista Championship. I won the third prize and was proud of my achievements. This is another step towards becoming a barista, and then I set another goal. I want to be a champion. In NTBC 2009, I won the championship and participated in the World Barista Championship in Atlanta, USA on April 16, 2009.

What impressed you most in WBC?

Although I didn't win the prize in this competition, I gained a lot of experience, I had the opportunity to be a solid champion and friend of baristas from all over the world, and I was proud to take part in international competitions as a barista.

Who is your mentor?

My mentor is Mr. Supot Leesuwattanakul, the 2006 Thai barista champion, who taught me how to make coffee.

How did you prepare WBC?

I started preparing three months before the start of the game. The training is very serious and intense.

What are your plans for the future?

I will continue to study because the knowledge of coffee is endless. I also like to help train the next generation of baristas.

What advice do you have for the new barista?

In order to be a successful barista, you need to have a clear goal and be yourself. There is no need to imitate others.