SprudgeLive’s coverage of the 2015 United Kingdom Barista Championship is made possible by direct support from La Spaziale UK. All of SprudgeLive’s 2015 barista competition coverage is underwritten in partnership with Square and Urnex Brands.
We’re proud to serve as official media partners of the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe–UK Chapter, who produce these extraordinary events.
We reached out to each of the 2015 UK Barista Championship competitors prior to their routines, to learn a bit more about them as competitors and coffee pros. We hope you enjoy these interviews!
Name: Dale Harris
Company: HasBean Coffee
Number of years behind the bar: 1.5
Number of competitions: 7
UKBC 2009 – 12th
UKBC 2010 – 2nd
UKBC 2011 – 3rd
UKBC 2012 – 5th
UKBC 2014 – 2nd
UKBC 2015………..
UKBrC 2013 – 3rd
Competition Coffee: La Chorera, Colombia, lot PIT-2404.
Competition Milk: Fresh Milk.
Signature Beverage: see here.
Box 1 – Liquorice fluid gel
Liquorice infusion
5 sticks of liquorice root
400 ml water
40 grms caster sugar
Crushed liquorice sticks, added to sugar solution, brought to a gentle boil then strained through paper.
Judges mix 30ml liquorice infusion with 9 ground oblate flakes to create a fluid gel
2.5ml per beverage
Box 2 – Caramelised apple syrup
Apple syrup
3 litres of Apple juice (cheap and nasty, no bits of fresh juice)
Reduce to 300 ml to create a thick dark syrup
Muscavado syrup
300 grms caster sugar
100 grms light soft brown sugar
80 ml water
Brought to the boil, then gently simmered and impurities removed.
Judges mix in equal proportions, 2.5ml per beverage.
Box 3 – Malic Acid Solution
C4H6O7 + H20 = Balance, clarity, zero bitterness
1.25ml per beverage
Box 4 – Clove oil emulsion
250 grams of rapeseed oil
20 grams whole cloves
1 vanilla pod and seeds (spilt in half and the seeds scrapped out)
Oil infused over heat for 20 mints, left in contact 12 hours, strained through a paper filter.
Emulsified by judge with Oblate flakes – 1.25ml per beverage.
Secret Weapons: see here.
Playlist: It’s a surprise to me too
I prefer bluegrass and folk tunes, my international coach and science adviser says this won’t help my chances.
I think honesty and being yourself is important but he says otherwise, because he’s met me.
Routine Theme: Looking at service styles and finding new ways to deliver the message of coffee quality.
Like e-mail.
Total Practice Hours: At least one.
Coach(es): I brought Petesy Williams, National Champion of Ireland 2014 and World almost finalist, along with his shingles, to help preparations and drive performance.
The team at HasBean were happy to have him with us.
Fashion: I work in coffee, I am wearing generic clothes available from a high street store.
Additional notes: I take competition seriously, other things less so.
Social Medias: @acousticcoffee
