Perhaps for the first time in the world, the kiwi fruit lent itself smoothly to a coffee brew which saw Mumbaikar Umesh Padwat winning the award for the best original signature drink prepared on the last day of the Indian Barista Championship (IBC) 2008, organised by the Speciality Coffee Association of Indian (SCAt).

Says SCAT quality ombudsman Sunalini Mcnon "The kiwi fruit is very challenging to work with for a barista. Padwa hrgniously combined the kiwi fruit base with shots of espresso, ice, cream and condensed milk. This was done so skilfully that the espresso complemented and highlighted the kiwi fruit". Menon is a member of the IBC's international jury whose chairperson Inga Schaeper told CT she was impressed with the organisation of the event, the skills of competitors and the spontaneity of the interaction between the baristi, the judges and the audience. Schaeper looks after marketing at Probat, the German world leader for coffee-roasting machinery.

The overall championship was won by Bangalore an Felix Daniel who will represent Indian at the World Barista Championship in Denmark. Padwal was the first runner-up and will take part in the Asian Barista Championship in Singapore. Each finalist was given 15 minutes to prepare four cups each of cappuccino, expresso and a signature drink.

Daniel's technique in preparing cappuccinos and espressos won him the championship. The Puuc-based Vishal Lokhandc came third. All three work for Cafe Coffee Day (CCD).

Barista's Claude Johnson came fourth and his colleague Gaurav Garg sixth. farg won the award for best communication skills. CCD's Dheeraj Sharma came fifth

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