Matcha Smackdown Winner

CRISTIAN FERNANDO FROM COMPASS GROUP ITALY, CROWNED COMPASS MATCHA SMACKDOWN WINNER 2019

Christian Fernando, of Compass Group, Italy has been crowned inaugural Compass Matcha Smackdown champion 2019. He wins an exclusive tea tasting and blending session with teapigs co- founder Louise Cheadle, a teapigs gift bundle set and a £200 shopping voucher.

On 13^th March, thirteen of the most skilled baristas from across Compass Group came together to pit their skills against the best of the best at the very first Compass Matcha Smackdown barista competition. The final took place at the Innovation Centre at the company’s Chertsey headquarters, delivered with partners teapigs and the Speciality Coffee Association (SCA).

Competitors included baristas from Medirest, Chartwells, 14Forty and Eurest, with the winner flying in from a Restaurant Associates site in Milan, Italy. Newly appointed Compass Coffee Education and Training Manager, Sonali Tailor headed the judging panel alongside Louise Cheadle from teapigs and Owen Thom from the SCA.

The talented competitors seized the opportunity to demonstrate their skills by producing some amazing looking (and tasting) Matcha Lattes using teapigs’ organic matcha and a milk of their choice. Matcha lattes are a firm favourite in cafes, coffee shops and restaurants everywhere and the competition was incredibly high. The judges were looking for a smoothly blended latte with great foam, technical ability, presentation skills and, of course, taste.