Unveiled: Finalists and winner of the top barista in regional Victoria’s competition
Have a shot of caffeine, because we’re ready to announce regional Victoria’s favourite baristas. See who got the most votes.
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From cappuccinos to lattes, to flat whites and long blacks, these are the baristas regional Victorians turn to for their daily caffeine hit.
After receiving more than 100 entries in the search for regional Victoria’s favourite barista we can now reveal the top coffee slingers in the state.
See which baristas received the most votes below.
FINALISTS
MOCHA MECCA: MILDURA
Mocha Mecca on Fifteenth St in Mildura has claimed a finalist spot in this round’s competition.
The locally owned coffee shop has been serving up hot beverages since 2005.
The business is open Monday to Saturday from 7am to 4pm and on Sunday from 8am to 4pm.
BRITTANY CLINCH: PEACHY — BENDIGO
The owner and main barista of the View St coffee shop “Peachy” in Bendigo has also claimed the finalist medal.
Brittany Clinch is known for her enthusiasm and humbleness with her customers.
Ms Clinch has thanked the community for their support over the past year and loves her “little peachy corner”.
If you’re looking for that wake-me-up coffee and a friendly chat, head to Peachy today.
KYLIE GARRETT: KOMBI FOR A CAUSE — BACCHUS MARSH
Some baristas take their work on a trip, and one of those coffee enthusiasts is Kylie Garrett from Kombi for a Cause.
Ms Garrett has also claimed a finalist spot in the competition.
She takes her coffee making skills to many events across the state, in her convenient mobile bar.
If you spot Ms Garrett’s vibrant blue van around the Ballarat area, be sure to stop by for a delicious hot beverage.
TIA FANNING: CAFFEINATED CHAOS — CHARLTON
Situated in Victoria’s northwest, Tia Fanning from Caffeinated Chaos in Charlton is busy brewing coffee while serving her valued customers.
And because of this, readers have voted for her, making her a finalist.
Caffeinated Chaos is located behind the Charlton Club on John Curtin Dr, ready to serve your desired coffee out of their trailer while you sit back and enjoy a catch up with friends.
If you’re ever on a roadtrip and stopping in Charlton, pop in and say hello to Ms Fanning and support local.
SECOND RUNNER UP
NIKITA PETTIT: MAIDEN GULLY BAKEHOUSE BLITZ — MAIDEN GULLY
Claiming second runner up in the competition is Nikita Pettit from Maiden Gully Bakehouse Blitz.
Ms Pettit said it made her day to find out the news and that coffee making was her all time passion.
She said what makes someone a good barista was being in love with the product first of all.
“It’s like so many jobs — you need to be able to taste and need to be able to know what you’re actually giving your customers so you can relate,” Ms Pettit said.
“When they are saying the coffee is a little strong you can actually say it’s not strong, it’s just the elements of this particular flavour coming out of the coffee.
“Being a barista, you need to know your product.”
Ms Pettit added the best baristas embraced their artistic side.
“If you’ve got artistic flair, that helps,” she said.
The gift of the gab was also important.
“Being able to have a good conversation with your customers is a really big thing — you’re basically their therapists sometimes or a friend.”
Ms Pettit said being organised, keeping a clean workspace, testing coffee shots and ensuring everything was consistent were the keys to being a successful barista.
She said what she loved most about her journey was the excitement of always learning new skills.
“There’s always something you can learn, no matter how long you have been a barista for.”
RUNNER UP
AMANDA MORRISH: BLACK SHEEP ON STURT — BALLARAT CENTRAL
Making quality coffee in the heart of Ballarat is Amanda Morrish from Black Sheep on Sturt.
Ms Morrish’s vote count was high, giving her the second place title overall.
The skinny latte lover said what she enjoyed most about her job was interacting with her customers and building rapport with the community.
“It’s definitely a high point — everyone has a story, and I think we’re on par with hairdressers,” Ms Morrish said.
“Everyone seems to be comfortable enough to share their good or bad stories.
“The coffee lovers come in — and it’s a quite personal service — it’s repetitive and it’s consistent — you have a regular customer-client base.”
Making the perfect coffee was all about timing, extraction and grammage.
“It’s all the science behind it, it’s about good machines, good quality equipment and great beans,” Ms Morrish said.
Her advice to people wanting to become a barista was to volunteer at a roasting company and learn the entire process of making a coffee.
“Instead of just jamming beans through a machine, you need to know why you’re doing it and how you should be doing it,” Ms Morrish said.
“Every bean is different — you need to do your research and most coffee roasters would be more than willing to take you on board and show you through the steps on the roasting process and the best way to extract the flavour out of that bean.”
FIRST PLACE
RYAN BERTULEIT: STH DROP ESPRESSO — WONTHAGGI
The winner of regional Victoria’s favourite barista goes to … the talented Ryan Bertuleit from Sth Drop Espresso in the seaside town of Wonthaggi.
Mr Bertuleit secured the most votes from readers, crowning him the winner.
For a couple of years, the beloved barista has been making coffees for the Bass Coast community and beyond, with every customer leaving with a smile.
The business, owned by Mr Bertuleit and brother Justin, attributed “endless teamwork” to the cafe’s success.
Justin said his brother Ryan was “killing it” every day.
So when you’re on a walk or on a road trip across Gippsland, Sth Drop Espresso.
OTHER BARISTAS WHO WERE NOMINATED/RECEIVED VOTES
There were dozens of other baristas nominated who also received a number of votes — see below who they were. (No particular order)
ALBURY WODONGA REGION
— Geoffrey Schilg: The Brothers Cup, Albury
— Lisa Dore: Purple Chicken, Albury
— April: Coffee Mamma, Wodonga
BALLARAT REGION
— Kimberley Taylor: Bunnings, Ballarat
— Sarah Hussey, Ballarat
GIPPSLAND & BASS COAST REGION
— Alexandra Blackwell, Wonthaggi
— Carly Burdett: Just Another Barista, Morwell
— Samantha Anderson: Alpha Espresso, Korumburra
— Vivian Zheng: Churchill Island Farmhouse Kitchen, Churchill Island
— Stefan Posa: One Shot Double Shot, Traralgon
— Vaughan’s Cafe and Deli, Inverloch
— Leah Hawker: Mon Dieu Cafe - Cowes, Phillip Island
— Biddy Marthas: Biddy Martha’s Cafe, Bunyip
— Bluette on Bear, Inverloch
BENDIGO REGION
— David Snowdon: Get Naked Espresso Bar, White Hills
— Kristyn: Hustle Coffee, Bendigo
— Amelia Perrett: Ruby’s, Bendigo
— Jesse Mcleod: Coffee Co, East Bendigo
— Tim & Rhi: Coffee Storm, Bendigo
— Madison Thomas, Bendigo
— Coffee Club, Bendigo
— Anthony Kellow: Cafe Roubaix, Bendigo
— Jasmine Loehr: Rocklea Cafe, Kangaroo Flat
— Yaya: Madame Jude, Bendigo
— Romy Norbart: Pepper & Stone Cafe, Bendigo
— Hayley McPherson: Coffee Crema, Eagle Hawk
— Monroe Zhang: Old Green Bean, Bendigo
— Connor Edwards: Bowser Bean Cafe, Strathfieldsaye
— Alex Davis: Pogo Espresso, Bendigo
— Ebony: OMG BBQ Australia, Bendigo
— Jeremy & Nicole Cox: Coffee on Loddon-Bridgewater On Loddon
— Penny Lane: Pepper & Stone Cafe, Bendigo
GOULBURN VALLEY REGION
— The Local, Shepparton
— Cassandra: Little Lipari, Shepparton
— Emma Kiss: Bill & Beats, Mooroopna
— Matt Kington: Stellar Coffee, Shepparton
— Kyle Bartlett: 7 Beans Coffee, Goulburn Valley
— Chloe Innes Irons: The Milk Bar, Shepparton
— Amanda Bela: Mooroopna Bakery, Mooroopna
— Kirsty McMillan: Bill & Beats, Mooroopna
— Kirsty Newton: Bill & Beats, Mooroopna
— Tamisha Humphries: Taste of Capri, Mooroopna
— Mackenzie Argus: Bill & Beats, Mooroopna
— Connie Austen: Jam Packed Coffee & Donuts, Shepparton
— Krystal Mackay: The Coffee Merchant, Benalla
— Brooke Branson: Bowser Bean Cafe, Kyabram
SUNRAYSIA REGION
— Aaron Chamberlain, Gol Gol/Buronga
— James Slorach: blk.mlk speciality coffee, Mildura
— Sam: Caffeine Extraction, Cafe 202, Post Espresso, Mildura
— Angela Yang, Mildura
— Tobias Pick: Mildura Airport Cafe, Mildura
— Dani Pick: Spark Kiosk Mildura Riverfront, Mildura
— Taylor Barbara & Kelly Hicks: Nexus Cafe SuniTAFE, Mildura
WARRNAMBOOL REGION
— Paige Howitt: Piccolo Coffee, Warrnambool
— Leah Habel & Mitch Warburton: Jade Cafe, Warrnambool
— Andrew: Bean Cruizin Espresso, Warrnambool
— ILMA Cakes Co, Warrnambool
— Mark Mitchell: Phoenix cafe and catering, Warrnambool
OTHER REGIONAL AREAS
— Wycheproof Bakery
THANK YOU FOR YOUR NOMINATIONS & VOTES
Congratulations to all our finalists and winners of the competition.
Stay tuned for the finalist announcements in the upcoming comps.
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