Chef Ed Dychauco, RN
A yearly event where a Barista winner is chosen to represent Mindanao in the annual National Barista Cup in Manila, this year, the elimination was held at the Gloria Maris Function room at the LimKetKai Mall last June 9, 2011.
7 screened competitors from Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City, Bukidnon, General Santos City & Davao City were present to show their skills and mastery in the art of coffee making using world-renowned Italian-made Rancillo Espresso Coffee Machine and only the finest locally-grown Benguet & Cavite Robusta & Arabica Beans. World-class Torani Syrups were also used to enhance their own-concoctions which further made the coffee taste better and the aroma truly heavenly.
In competition like this, each participant has to do 3 coffees. First is a cup of Espresso, 2nd is Latte and the 3rd is their own blend or concoction, and it can be hot or cold. And they are graded according to PBCA standards, which is quite strict in terms of preparation, taste, skills and many more.
Emerging as the Champion was the good-looking Bryan Silvaro, 21 years old and has been a Bartender/Barista for only more than a year. A soft-spoken lean guy who started as a part-time waiter/bartender nearby during his high school days, Bryan has become engrossed in the art of Latte art in coffee making. He sees the excitement and fun in this unique art and eventually enrolled at Jamaican F & B. because of his love & passion for this, he was hired instantly by Mr. Rey Sumania, Instructor/owner of Jamaican F & B after graduation.
Having traveled extensively all over Mindanao (Zamboanga del Sur & Norte, Surigao del Sur & Norte, Butuan City, Davao City, etc.) he became an assistant to Mr. Rey as they conduct classes & seminars to students & professionals alike. It was during these travels that Bryan developed more of his skills in the hands-on preparation of different type of coffees. Aside from being a bartender, it also helps him in the development of new drinks. He also works free-lance as a barista for Slick Café.
Single and available, Bryan comes from Carmen, this city. He had 4 other siblings, 3 girls and another boy. And being employed makes a lot of difference in his life. He is able to help support his family. And like any other skilled employee, he sees himself working in a cruise ship or a hotel in the years to come.
Winning this competition is a lot of pressure, he said. Because he has to outdo himself if he wants to win the national title come August in Manila. He believes he needs to practice more and be more confident in himself. His own mixture, Pride de Oro is a blend of Espresso with freshly squeezed pineapple juice, hint of Torani green apple syrup & vanilla. Bryan used pineapple because he wants to showcase locally produced fruits in his unique coffee blend.
1st Placer (or 1st Runner-up) went to Mr. Lyndon Recera, 21 years old is originally from Dipolog City but now employed at Celine’s Coffee in Valencia Bukidnon. Already in his 3rd year HRM course, Lyndon has to stop schooling but sees a very good & bright future of himself in the coffee business.
His love for coffee started when he was exposed to coffee seminars conducted by Jamaican F & B in Dipolog City. But first and foremost, his passion was in bartending. Having represented and won a couple of student divisions in flair tending, Lyndon wanted also to try his luck in the art of coffee-making.
And sure enough, he did pretty well in the competition with his unique blend of “OMG-Over My Guts” coffee mixture using lemon grass as one of his major ingredient. He believes that there should also be some “medicinal” properties concocted in the coffee to make one truly enjoy that cup! Other ingredients include: steamed milk, watermelon habanero syrup & vanilla.
Like Bryan, he sees himself traveling the world while making use of his barista & bartending skills in the very near future and thereby, helps his family financially.
2nd runner-up was also a student of Jamaican F & B who now works professionally in one of the coffee shops here in CdOC.
All winners received a trophy, gift packs from Torani and a certificate. This event was sponsored by Equilibrium Intertrade, distributor of Rancillo Coffe Machines, Torani Syrups T Dilmah Teas.
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