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More personal and thoughtful posts will come shortly once we have had a few moments to process and celebrate. For now, please enjoy the news release below.
Transcend Coffee’s Josh Hockin wins the 2011 Canadian National Barista Championship
Vancouver, BC – Monday, October 3, 2011 – Josh Hockin, one of Transcend Coffee’s trainers and professional competitive baristas won the 2011 Canadian Barista Championship Monday in Vancouver. Winning the top prize means that Hockin will now travel to Vienna, Austria to represent Canada at the World Barista Championship in June 2012. Transcend barista and trainer Ben Put took second place, so it was a one-two sweep for Transcend. Jeremy Ho from Calgary’s Phil and Sebastian Coffee Roasters took third place, for an unprecedented Alberta sweep.
“I didn’t really think that I would win,” says Hockin, “But I tightened up my set from yesterday and I was relaxed and simply did my best. I really want to thank the entire Transcend team and all of the people that made this win possible. I couldn’t have done it on my own.”
Hockin was up against the 15 top baristas in Canada, who all won the right to compete on the national stage by placing in the top four at regional competitions. Each competitor must prepare and serve 12 separate espresso beverages: four espresso, four cappuccinos, and four "signature" drinks of their own creation, and present them to a distinguished panel of judges. Competitors have only 15 minutes to prepare all 12 drinks and are judged on station cleanliness, taste, beverage presentation, technical skills and overall judges impression.
“I’m so proud of Josh,” says Transcend Coffee owner and founder Poul Mark, “I was hoping for a one-two finish today but was completely overjoyed when it actually turned out that way.”
Hockin prepared his drinks using Santa Lucia coffee, roasted by Transcend Coffee. Transcend has purchased this coffee directly from the farmer, Ricardo Perez Barrantes, for the past three years running. Santa Lucia is a certified organic farm from the Alajuela region of Costa Rica.
Josh Hockin will spend the next several months practicing and refining his presentation in the hopes to place well at the World Barista Championships in June.
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