"Welcome to Five Senses Coffee"

You can almost feel the tension in the air as the cream of Australia’s barista talent jet into Melbourne for the 2008 Australian Barista Championships. Various groups huddle in the corners of prominent cafes, discussing last minute tactics and evaluating the opposition, while nervous baristas check their competition blends are ‘peaking’ at the right time. It’s a veritable hive of activity and tension.

The gracious folk at Veneziano have opened their doors to allow the baristas to do a last minute training run on the competition set-up at their stylish Richmond roastery. The sizeable contingent from Western Australia are enjoying their South Yarra digs, a significant improvement on the less salubrious “Motel Adjacent Casino” in Adelaide last year.

Four Sandgropers will be facing the judges at the Docklands in Saturday’s open heats. In the Latte Art competition, the word on the street is that Kim Godleman (5 Senses very own man on the scene) is cherry ripe for his event and feeling confident of a bold showing. Rumour has it that Mark Dundon (the High Priest of coffee) is going to whip out some Guatemalan ‘Cup Of Excellence’ coffee at his uber trendy joints St Ali and Brother Baba Budan over the weekend. This has the gathered coffee fiends salivating.

With hot competition this year, the traditional NSW / Victoria dominance is expected to be challenged by the less experienced, but improving baristas from other States.

Remember to check here tomorrow night for breaking news from the baristas at the Docklands.