Get ready for Barista Blast, a different kind of coffee competition in Greece!
BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT
Featured photo courtesy of Samba Coffee Roasters
The coffee world is buzzing with excitement as Samba Coffee Roasters, Oatly, and professional coffee equipment company Georgopoulos are coming together to host the first Barista Blast coffee competition in Athens, Greece. This innovative event, taking place November 9, promises to shake things up in the world of coffee competitions within the country, focusing on fun, inclusivity, and community-building rather than expensive equipment and fancy preparation.
The Concept of Barista Blast
This is a competition where baristas are challenged to think outside the box, get creative, and have a blast (pun intended!) with their colleagues. It will feature a series of interactive and subversive challenges testing participants’ skills and creativity in ways that will surprise and delight.
The judges are from competing companies, such as Enkel, Foyer, Kudu Coffee Roasters, Area 51 Coffee Roasters, and The Roosters, ensuring a fair and unbiased competition. This focus on transparency and impartiality sets Barista Blast apart from other competitions, allowing participants to showcase their skills without worrying about favoritism or bias.
With a focus on fun and community-building, Barista Blast aims to create an atmosphere that embodies the essence of coffee culture: relaxation, mood, and a passion for the craft.
What to Expect
Barista Blast takes place at the Noctua Brewery on Saturday, November 9, and entry is free. The competition is open to professionals and home brewers alike, with a maximum number of participants set at 16. Teams will be formed through random selection at the start of the event, ensuring a level playing field for all participants. The top three winning teams will receive prizes of €1,500 for first place, €1,000 for second place, and €500 for third place.
In addition to the competition itself, attendees can expect a lively atmosphere with special beers from Noctua Brewery, a vegan food menu offered by the Avit team, and some fun happenings throughout the event that will keep things interesting.
All Are Welcome
We reached out to Kostas Kalafatas, owner of Samba Coffee Roasters, to learn more about the vision behind Barista Blast. “We want to create an inclusive and relaxed atmosphere where everyone can have fun and showcase their skills,“ says Kostas.
“Our commitment to independence and inclusivity ensures that all baristas, regardless of company affiliation, are welcome to participate. We’re not about fancy preparation or expensive equipment; we’re about showcasing the artistry and skill of the barista, all while having fun.“
For Oatly, being involved in Barista Blast is a natural extension of their mission to support the specialty-coffee industry around the world. “We’re excited to be part of an event that embodies the spirit of coffee culture,“ says Navid Lohrasb, barista market developer manager, international markets at Oatly. “We’re all about creating moments where baristas can connect with each other, compete in an approachable way, and just have a load of fun.“
The Future of Coffee Competitions in Greece
As the coffee industry in Greece continues to evolve, it’s clear that there is an audience for new coffee competitions. Barista Blast, with its focus on inclusivity, creativity, and community-building, is a bold new direction that challenges the status quo and promises to redefine the way the local community thinks about coffee competitions.
By embracing the artistry and skill of the barista, rather than focusing on following strict rules and sourcing coffee, this event has the potential to inspire a new wave of creativity and passion in the Greek coffee industry.
The rise of events like Barista Blast, which prioritize fun, creativity, and community-building over traditional competition formats, is a welcome development for the country’s coffee industry. If you’re interested in participating in Barista Blast, you can sign up here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior online correspondent for Barista Magazine and a freelance copywriter and editor with a primary focus on the coffee niche. She has also been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, providing content to help educate people about baristas and their work.
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