I’m grateful to be connected with so many individuals in this industry. I was recently invited to watch a presentation of a participant competing in the UAE National Barista Championship and give feedback on her performance. I’m no where qualified to be a judge, but I was at awe of her dedication to perfect her routine to the minutest level.

From the inception of the idea to the creation of the drinks, let me tell you, I didn’t expect it since I haven’t really watched any previous performances especially the World Barista Championship which commenced last month.

It shows how passionate she is of her art and her connection with the industry at such a deep level. Her perspective is one-of-a-kind and that’s what probably separates the “true” artists from the rest of us. They tell stories in unique and distinctive ways.

It is her first time competing at this level and I was particularly impressed when I saw her preparing the different courses while talking about the coffee origin, the process it has undergone, and what the expected notes are.

After watching her performance, I was inspired to write this blog wherein I list a few pointers you will need if you are planning to compete. If you think I might have might have missed out on any, please feel free to share your own in the comments section below.

Deciding to take part

If you are going to take part in a competition like this, then you already have the prerequisite barista skills required. Knowing the rules inside out, being aware of the judges and having an understanding of what their preference in “coffee” and the “winner” is, are some of the leg-work that has to be done after you sign up.

R&D on the competition

Research your competition and develop a game plan for yourself. You might have seen this in documentaries or movies where a particular sports team will be watching hours and hours of gameplay footage of their competition to find strengths and weaknesses at an individual or team level.

You will have a fairly good idea of who your competitors are: who has a higher chance to win and why they might be successful. It helps to watch past performances of baristas who have presented on the big stage. Familiarize yourself with their act and how the judges respond to it. Put yourself in their shoes and analyze how your strategy will play out.

Build confidence

We humans have a tendency to start worrying about everything. Our confidence starts disappearing when we find out who we are up against. Perhaps they were the champion previously who is deciding to take part this year. I mean, why won’t they?

Just know this: when you are on the big stage, titles don’t mean anything. You are a participant like the others and you will be judged fairly on all accounts. Stand firm and know that you have potential to win just like everyone else competing with you.

Importance of mentorship

You can be an expert and probably pull it off on your own but it helps to have a coach, and it could actually be the reason for your win. You will need someone who is probably more focused than you, more experienced and who has competed a few times to know exactly what the winning formula is.

Mentors can provide you with valuable insight, motivate you when your morale is low, give you constructive criticism with an aim to squeeze the best out of you and much more. I saw this first hand when tackling issues together trying to perfect the participant’s barista dance. That is when I understood, it’s a team effort and your mentor is also competing with you for the win.

Have a game plan

Training schedule is probably as important as the training itself. Training everyday is fine, but if you go at it haphazardly without a plan, this can hamper your performance instead of elevating it. This is where the guidance from a coach comes handy.

Once the schedule is set, and you are training regularly with the correct mindset and focus, you will have an heightened understanding of where you are going wrong. You will need to aim for incremental steps to improve rather than taking too much on your plate at once.

Visualize to get what you want

Visualize giving an award winning performance and lifting that trophy. By doing this, you can build the self-confidence you need to perform well. There are plenty of techniques on how to do this online and applications to help you with. This will program your brain and activate your subconscious to recognize the resources you need to achieve your goals.

Stay calm and rest plenty

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed before a competition, resting plenty before the big day can help you stay calm and collected. There are other techniques like breathing exercises which help but a good nights sleep can also do wonders.

Practice, practice and practice

There’s no need to expand on this point, you will have to practice your presentation n number of times so that you can make mistakes and learn how to correct them. This is a 15 minute performance, and it’s packed with interaction with the judges, preparing and presentation of the drinks, and perhaps the longest elevator speech you have ever given.

The essence of creativity

I’m ending with this point when it should have been the first. This is what the judges are looking for: innovation and passion. Do you have the capability to create something so unique, give a performance so stellar that you captivate them and they have no choice but to give you that trophy.

What is the UAE National Barista Championship?

This is a competition to determine the best barista in the UAE. They must win the hearts of the judges not only with the quality of the drink, but also the way they present themselves with grace and elegance.

There are a total of 12 participants, every single competitor has 15 minutes to prepare and present four espressos, milk based, and signature drinks. That’s the gist of it all. You can read the rules and regulations here.

And with that, I wish everyone competing the very best. I’m excited to see who will take the UAE National Barista Champion title. I have attended the first day (Nov 7) and will be visiting again for the finals tomorrow (Nov 9).

You can register here if you are planning to visit.