Coco Veranda crowned once more
The third Barista Championship of Sri Lanka held recently at the Bandaranaike
Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), organized by the Graduates
Association of the premier hospitality school in the country, Ceylon Hotel
School, saw outstanding coffee making talent showcased and excellence awarded.
With participants from establishments from several cities including Colombo,
Negombo and Bentota, each contestant was expected to serve four sensory judges
with an espresso, a cappuccino and a signature drink, tallying to a total of 12
beverages served in the 15 minutes allocated to them. They were judged based on
technique, taste, presentation and creativity with emphasis on art, taste, foam
and froth of milk.
Coco Veranda’s history at the Barista Championship of Sri Lanka is an acclaimed
one, where Isuru Dilisa and Arafath Mackeen won the 2014 and 2015 championship
titles respectively. Meanwhile, Thuwan Suraj from Barista Lavazza was placed the
1st runner up, whilst Samudra Nilanjani, the second female to be rewarded on
this platform since its inception, was selected as the second runner up,
bringing home yet another award to Coco Veranda on the same day. Samudra proves
to be an absolute testament to the talent and capabilities of female baristas in
Sri Lanka.
Arafath Mackeen, Acting Operations Manager - Coco Veranda, and the winner of the
2015 championship said, “We are extremely pleased to have been acknowledged for
the talent and flair of our amazing team members. We are very proud of Pradeep
and Samudra, who performed with much grace and skill. Sri Lanka has come far in
the café scene in a very short time where Coco Veranda takes pride in having
been a pioneer in the industry.” |