Best of the best
HUGH KELLY – 2017 ASCA AUSTRALIAN BARISTA CHAMPION
Hugh Kelly of Ona Coffee has won the Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA) Australian Barista Championship for the second year in a row.
Hugh is only the second Australian to win the prestigious title back-to-back since Paul Basset in 2002 and 2003.
Matthew Lewin of Axil Coffee Roasters was runner up and Jade Jennings of Veneziano Coffee Roasters placed third, a repeat of last year’s top three finalists.
“Here we go again,” laughed Hugh as he addressed the rapturous crowd that filled every seat and inch of standing room in the grand arena at MICE on 1 April.
“I was already an emotional wreck after watching [fellow Ona colleague] Sam Corra win the Australian Brewers Cup Championship, and then to stand there for my results and win again is a little overwhelming. The level of competition really stepped it up this year. Oddly enough I woke up on the day of the finals with a strange feeling that the universe would be on my side, and it was.”
For his routine, Hugh engaged the panel of four sensory judges with his fluid presentation, distinct flavour profiles, and elements of fun with the playful tangerine fairy floss he transported from a carnival setting to the judging table.
Hugh used his 15 minutes to address the need to bridge the gap between specialty coffee and
