Monday 12 October 2015

Week beginning October 12th - Smackdown - The Finals

It was about 7:10 pm when I got there, and Square Mile was already packed with ten deep at the bar and a very orderly and happy queue for the complimentary Kernel Brewery Beer. I would say the crowd was a mixture of those happy to be there and looking forward to the night, and possibly 16 baristas who were a little bit nervous and excited all at the same time.

Oli Bradshaw and the Square Mile team had done an amazing job of setting up the room, with the gleaming Victoria Arduino Black Eagle against the wall, and an old school desk set up for the baristas to pour the latte art on, with a Go Pro camera directly above and streaming onto the giant white wall.

The legend that is Billy Tahitis was dj'ing in the corner with old and new school rap classics and Ross Brown took over the mic for the evening as MC, whilst Kaffeine lead baristas Jakub and Sam dialled in the machine. We took polaroid photos of all the competitors so we could see who they were and by 7:45 we were ready to go. By now the room was packed with about 100 people, plus at least another 50 outside or at the bar.

AS per the heats, it was barista v barista, 2 cups of double shot espresso, steam your own milk and split your jugs, then pour the two cups and choose your best one. In the final though, we were also weighing the left over milk on the Acaia scales to add even more pressure.

Round one went like this
Edgar - Attendant
Zain - Harris and Hoole - Winner

Phil - Artisan
Helen - Lantana - Winner

So Yan - Attendant - Winner
Chloe - Kaffeine

Nico - Noble - Winner
Dean - Artisan

Laura - Curators
Heidi - Prufrock - Winner

Sam - Local hero - Winner
Piotr - Peanut Vendor

Jack - Origin - Winner
Will - Origin

Dhan - Caracoli - Winner
Alex - Origin

Round Two went like this

Zain - Harris and Hoole
Helen - Lantana - Winner

So Yan - Attendant
Nico - Noble - Winner

Heidi - Prufrock - Winner
Sam - Local Hero

Jack - Origin
Dhan - Caracoli - Winner

Then it was up to Round three
Helen - Lantana
Nico - Noble - Winner

Heidi - Prufrock
Dhan - Caracoli - Winner

And so we go to the finals - to determine third place we had
Heidi - Prufrock - Wins third place!
Helen - Lantana

Then in the final
Nico Halliday - Noble vs Dhan Tamang - Caracoli

In true Smackdown fashion, it was down to the very wire and the judges made the amazing discovery that the cups chosen to pour in were different sizes and so the call was made that we had to have a pour off!

So here we were, two baristas, one cup each, steam and pour at the same time. The cash was placed on the table, the music boomed and the crowd went wild. The judges deliberated, they conferred, they argued and finally we made the call 1, 2 , 3 and Nico Halliday is the 3rd annual winner!!!

A huge congratulations to Nico and to everyone, all 64 baristas who competed and put themselves forward. A massive thank you to the judges who donated their time especially lead judge and photographer Glenn Watson, as well as the amazing sponsors of the prizes and supporters of the entire concept, we are very, very appreciative.

Victoria Arduino
Square Mile Coffee
Coffee Hit
Minor Figures
Allegra Coffee Events

Please can I also say a huge thank you to the Kaffeine staff who once again made the event special and a success. Well done crew.

Here is the final album of photos by Glenn, check it out and we hope to see you again next year. Bring it on.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/getnoticed/albums/72157656043480153

Please enjoy the menu for this week. It is chocolate week, so we have a few extra special chocolate creations on for you.

Peter Dore-Smith
Director
Kaffeine

Great Titchfield Street Menu

Breakfast
Traditional bircher muesli with Greek yoghurt and rhubarb and raspberry compote 4.00
Granola muesli with pomegranate molasses, Greek yoghurt and rhubarb and raspberry compote 4.00
Fruit salad with pineapple, mango, strawberries, grapes, passion fruit 3.90
Ciabatta roll with omelette, pancetta, rocket and tomato salsa 5.00
Ciabatta roll with avocado, omelette, rocket and tomato salsa 5.00
Croissant with Italian roast ham, talleggio cheese, spinach and plum tomatoes 4.90
Cinnamon and Raisin Toast 2.50

Pastries by Seven Seed bakery
French butter croissant 2.00
Pain au chocolat 2.50
Almond croissant 2.80

Baked Treats
Sweet muffin: Baked apple, walnut, honey 2.50
Savoury Scones: Green pesto and manchego cheese 2.50
Friand: Lime, lemon, coconut  2.50
Super moist chocolate brownies (gf) 2.70
White chocolate blondies 2.50
Portuguese tarts 2.00
ANZAC cookies 2.00
Almond and custard slice 2.80
Banana bread 2.50
Raspberry and coconut slice 2.50

Lunch
French retro baguettes 5.30
Ham, roasted chestnuts, saute mushroom, cheese fondue, baby spinach
Buffalo mozzarella, grilled minted aubergine, plum tomato, chilli pesto, rocket

Foccacias 5.50
Roasted chicken, brie cheese, puttanesca sauce, rocket
Grilled red pepper, roasted carrot, tzatiki dip, feta cheese, spinach 

Salads: 5.50/6.90
Grilled salmon salad with brown rice, edamame bean, fresh pea, broccoli, dill, spicy tomato sauce 
Pink grapefruit salad with black olive, sweetcorn, feta cheese, roasted walnut, alfalfa, radicchio and avocado dressing
Honey roasted purple carrot with tahini and yoghurt sauce and pumpkin seeds

Tart: 4.40 or 8.00 with salads
Tuna fish cake with sweet potato and mango salsa


Eastcastle Street Menu

Breakfast
Traditional bircher muesli with Greek yoghurt and rhubarb and raspberry compote 4.00
Paleo granola with Greek yoghurt and rhubarb and raspberry compote 4.00
Fruit salad with pineapple, mango, strawberries, grapes and passion fruit 3.90
Smoked paprika brioche with courgette omelette, spinach, gruyere cheese, mushrooms and tomato salsa  5.00
Smoked paprika brioche with treacle smoked back bacon, roasted tomatoes, avocado, rocket and aioli 5.00
Croissant with Italian roast ham, talleggio cheese, spinach and plum tomatoes 4.90
Croissant with smoked salmon, scrambled egg, tomato, rocket 5.00

Pastries by Seven Seed bakery
French butter croissant  2.00
Pain au chocolat 2.50
Almond croissant 2.80

Baked Treats
Muffins - Apple, vanilla, raisins and spices 2.50
Savoury - Courgette, cheese scrolls 2.50
Super moist chocolate brownies (gf) 2.70
Blueberry, banana and nut cake with vanilla icing  2.50
Gluten free and dairy free protein bar 2.50
Vanilla, popcorn and caramel tarts  2.90
Banana bread 2.50
ANZACS  2.00
White chocolate, oats and cranberry cookies  2.00
Portuguese tarts 2.00
Raspberry and coconut slice 2.50

Lunch
Brioche 5.00

Smoked paprika Brioche with breaded smoked mozzarella, schiacciatta salami, rocket, red chillies and plum jam

Baguettes 5.30
Italian Coppa Cotta Ham, rocket, grilled fennel, goats curd, braised red onions and blackberries dressing.
Roasted aubergine, spinach, sweet peppers, fresh basil, pine nuts and saffron cream fraiche sauce.

Salads 5.50 / 7.00
Polenta dices, smoked pancetta, rocket, blue cheese, red chillies, fresh coriander, black beluga lentils & chilli oil dressing
Roasted butternut, mascarpone cheese, Parmesan shavings, rocket, dried blackcurrants & dark chocolate balsamic dressing.
Roasted romanesca, pine nuts, pomegranates, mix seeds and baba ganoush dressing.

Savoury Tart 4.40 or 8.00 with salads
Mille feuille with earth mushrooms, jack Monterey cream pastry and mole chocolate savoury sauce



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