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Cravings, The Coffee Beanery bag prizes at 2007 Barista Cup

06/17/2007

Cravings and The Coffee Beanery have proved once again that their baristi are the country’s best when they garnered top awards at the recently concluded 2007 Barista Cup. The 2007 Barista Cup, a competition that tests the creativity, technical skills and talent of a barista, is part of the annual National Coffee Forum.

“The Coffee Beanery is known as a pioneer in perfecting coffee-making in the Philippines. We take pride in providing our baristi with intensive training. Coffee-making is not just a skill, but both science and art as well,” Jheng Dacasin, marketing manager of Cravings, said.

Zaldy Mangaliag of Cravings Shangri-La is this year’s grand champion. Add to that, he also got the “Best Espresso Award.”

A consistent winner in the Barista Cup, Zaldy won a free hotel accom-modation, P10,000 cash and will represent the country in the World Barista Competition in Singapore.

“I’m really proud and excited to represent our country in the world competition. I will do my best and put not only my mind but my heart as well,” said Zaldy, who wowed the judges and the crowd with his blind-folded rendition of latte art.

A good bar-ista, according to him, should maintain the balance in creating coffee and art.

Meanwhile, Arsenio Reyes of Cravings Katipunan won the second prize with his impressive creation called the Banana Espresso El Menthe.

Aside from Zaldy and Arsenio, also joining the competition were Vanessa Caceres of TCB Shangri-La and Jo Gacutan of TCB Pioneer.

The Barista Cup is a prestigious competition where the best among the rest emerges. In a matter of 20 minutes, the competitors are tasked to prepare four servings of espresso drinks, four servings of cappuccinos and four servings of their signature drink.

Cravings has branches in Katipunan, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Tomas Morato, Festival Super Mall, Fraser Place, Makati City; and West Avenue. While the Coffee Beanery branches are located at Don Antonio, Commonwealth; Banawe, Quezon City; Shangri-La Mall; Robinsons Place Pioneer; Mandaue City, Cebu; Bacolod City; and Naga City, Bicol.

For inquiries and information about The Coffee Beanery, call 426-6681. For more information, visit www.cravingsgroup.com