2015 UKBC Competitor Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood, Colonna & Small’s

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: Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood.

Company: Colonna & Small’s, using coffee from Notes roastery.

Number of years behind the bar: 7 years.

Number of competitions: A fair few.

Two time UK Barista Champion. Two WBC finals. Finished 6th and 5th. Finished 3rd in UK Cup Tasters in 2012 and 2nd in UK Latte Art 2012.

Competition Coffee: Gaitana co-op from the Tolima department of Colombia, 100% caturra. Washed, grown at 1850 masl.

Competition Milk: Ivy House Jersey herd. Grass fed milk from north Sommerset.

Signature Beverage: Gaitana’s chilled alter ego:

Espresso chilled on ice throughout the routine. The temperature explores acidity. This is further explored by the addition of 4 acidity driven infusions to compliment the coffees complex acidity. 3 are fruit derived – pomegranite, cranberry and skins of black grapes. Plus a walnut infusion, walnut being a naturally high source of tannic acid. The temperature however sacrifices body and sweetness. These are brought back with one gram of brown sugar syrup and 2 grams of arrow root syrup (for body). Served sunken in ice.

Secret Weapons: Hopefully several. We will see.

Playlist: First is “Keep Earnin” by Jungle. Followed by “Seasons” by Future Islands. Then “Brand New Revolution” by Guts and to finish we have Keep “The Customer Satisfied” by Simon and Garefunkel.

Routine Theme: A couple. Mainly though it’s about improving the dynamic of shared experience between drinker, barista, and coffee through the use of a shared language. In this case it’s the format of competition, in particular the scoresheet.

Total Practice Hours: Cliche warning – all the time in one way or another.

Coach(es): My wonderful wife Lesley. My right hand and collaborator through all the competitions I’ve done. Plus an eclectic group of competition enthused customers, friends and staff. Who all give up their time and energy to engage with the process. I like to think they enjoy it.

Fashion: I’ve find short sleeves, I’ve done rolled up, so this year it’s buttoned down!

Additional notes: Thanks for covering the comp. I think you guys do an awesome job!

Social Medias: @colonna_smalls