John Gordon takes UK Barista Championship in a close race

UNITED KINGDOM 1st March 2010

After a close contest between the best 20 baristas in the UK, Australian-born John Gordon triumphed as UK Barista Champion at the Hotelympia show in London at the beginning of March.

John Gordon, of Gorilla Tampers and London-based Square Mile Coffee, achieved 687 points in the final, and also took best espresso, best cappuccino and best signature drink prizes at the Championship.

The runner-up, with 675.5 points, was Dale Harris of First Choice Coffee, and the judges awarded 651.5 points to Neil Le Bihan of Exchange Coffee in Lewisham Market, London, to give him third place.

John Gordon will now join the winners of the Cup Tasting, Latte Art and Coffee in Good Spirits Championships (decided in Exeter in February and reported in a separate story) in representing the UK at the WBC and the SCAE World Championships in London June 23-25.

Pictured in the winners' circle are John Gordon (second from right), Dale Harris (far right) and Neil Le Bihan (far left)

More UK Barista Championship news and photos are available from the SCAE UK chapter website; click here to visit it.