The BOTY competition is an exciting event where our skilled baristas from across the country come together to demonstrate their expertise and creativity in coffee making. This competition is more than just a contest; it’s a celebration of the dedication and passion our baristas pour into every cup. Through this event, our baristas refine their techniques, learn new trends, and share their love for coffee with the entire Shingle Inn family.
With state finals now wrapped up, our baristas are now ready to compete for a spot in the national finals!
Meet our Finalists
We’re excited to introduce our four exceptional finalists who will compete for the title of Shingle Inn’s Barista of the Year 2024. Each Barista has shown remarkable skill and dedication, earning their place in the national spotlight.
Jessica, North Lakes
- Meet Jess, a passionate barista at Shingle Inn for five years who surprisingly prefers English breakfast tea over coffee. But don’t let that fool you; Jess knows her coffee inside out and believes precision and consistency are key to a perfect cup. She loves interacting with customers, making them happy, and forming meaningful friendships with her team. Jess enjoys watching Instagram reels of daring coffee flavour experiments, loving the creativity even if the ideas are extreme. She is passionate about perfecting her latte art, delighting customers with hearts and swans in their cups. One of her highlights is seeing regular customers around the shopping centre, exchanging smiles and waves. Known for handling special requests and challenging orders with kindness and efficiency, Jess finds every day at work exciting and different, fuelling her love for her job.
Hannah, Knox
- Hannah is known for her stunning latte art and exceptional customer service at Knox. Her journey in coffee began with a fascination for the art and balance of flavours, and she has become well-known for her beautiful swan designs. Hannah’s warm smile and friendly demeanour set her apart, making every customer feel valued. Regulars love her kindness and the genuine connections she forms, turning a simple coffee run into a highlight of their day. For Hannah, the best part of her job is seeing the joy on her customers’ faces when they receive their drinks. Her dedication to both her craft and the community creates memorable experiences for everyone who visits Knox.
Kristy, North Lakes
- Kristy has transformed coffee-making into an art form over her decade at Shingle Inn. Her favourite indulgence, an Iced Long Black with white chocolate powder and oat milk, reflects her love for unique and delightful flavour profiles. Kristy’s passion shines through in her meticulous attention to every coffee shot and achieving creamy, silky milk textures. She thrives on perfecting each cup and making every interaction special, creating a warm, inviting space for customers. Her journey into coffee began with a love for working with people and mastering the intricate steps to make the perfect cup. Kristy finds true joy in seeing the smiles and receiving compliments from satisfied customers. Always striving to improve her skills, she welcomes feedback as an opportunity to refine her techniques. Kristy’s fascination with coffee trends, especially the visually intriguing cold drip method, sparks numerous conversations with her customers, showcasing her openness to innovation and experimentation.
Rem, Grand Plaza
- Rem, a dedicated barista at Shingle Inn for seven years, unexpectedly found his passion for coffee. His go-to order is a classic latte, reflecting his appreciation for the fundamentals of coffee craftsmanship. Rem believes the secret to a perfect cup lies in high-quality beans and precise extraction. He loves the continuous learning and skill development in his job, alongside the camaraderie of great colleagues. What Rem enjoys most is crafting diverse coffee beverages and receiving heartfelt compliments from customers. His journey from an unexpected start to becoming a finalist in the Barista of the Year competition highlights his dedication and passion. Intrigued by evolving coffee trends, Rem explores various milk alternatives and syrups to enhance the coffee-drinking experience. His commitment to quality and innovation makes every cup a delightful experience for his customers.
Celebrating our Baristas!
The national finals will take place on Monday 29th July, where each contestant will showcase their coffee expertise and creativity in front of our judges. They will be competing for the title of Shingle Inn’s Barista of the Year 2024 and an amazing prize package, including an $849 Breville Coffee Machine and a trip to Melbourne for a Roastery Tour.
We invite all our customers to join us in celebrating the incredible talent and dedication of our baristas. Their passion for coffee is what makes every visit to Shingle Inn special!