Barista Championship podium finish ends WA's 13-year absence. Five Senses Coffee National Training Manager excels at Australian Coffee Championships.
On Saturday, first time national competitor Lena Richrath, was awarded 3rd place in the internationally sanctioned Australian Barista Championships in Melbourne, serving an exceptional coffee from WA roaster, Five Senses Coffee and becoming the first WA competitor on the podium in the last 13 years. The only woman on the podium, Lena used her first appearance on the national stage to treat judges to a delicious Gesha variety coffee from Colombian farmer, Pablo Guerrero and convey an important message about sustainability. Against one of the most highly experienced and competitive fields in the world, Lena's achievement celebrates her skill in getting the very best out of a coffee, including providing all-important context about how the coffee was grown – an ability regularly used in her role as National Training Manager overseeing Five Senses' four Barista Academies.
"The Barista Championships are an exciting global platform that helps showcase the very top end of the coffee profession; honing technique, technology and, as Lena's performance demonstrates, can also convey important messages about the future of coffee," said Ben Bicknell, Strategic Projects Manager at Five Senses Coffee and World Barista Championship judge. "In a heartfelt presentation, Lena served an espresso, a milk beverage, and a signature drink - inspired by coffee farmer, Pablo Guerrero's endeavors in using sustainable ecosystems – to each of four sensory judges who assessed a multitude of characteristics, before awarding Lena third place: the first WA competitor on the podium since 2008!"
The Australian Barista Championships, along with a range of other competitions focusing on coffee tasting, filter coffee brewing, coffee cocktails and latte art, are hosted by the Australian Specialty Coffee Association – an industry body representing the vibrant coffee community – and lead into the World Coffee Championships where national representatives compete for the ultimate coffee titles.
About Five Senses Coffee
Founded in 2000, Five Senses Coffee was a pioneering force in the emerging specialty movement with its direct trade, freshly roasted coffee. Five Senses Coffee continues to be a leader in this vibrant coffee community today, sourcing, and roasting specialty coffee from direct, equitable relationships with coffee producers all around the world, providing cutting edge equipment and comprehensive training at their Barista Academy, helping people get the most out of their coffee. Along with the strong focus at coffee origin, the staff at Five Senses Coffee, working in all regions around Australia, regularly partner with like-minded, impact driven businesses and individuals in their local communities, striving to impact people positively through specialty coffee.
