Chongqing - Coffee is becoming a daily choice for more and more people in Chongqing. With the popularity of domestic coffee brands such as Luckin Coffee and the rise of various small and medium-sized cafes in the streets and alleys of Chongqing, the coffee industry is experiencing significant development opportunities. The Belt and Road International Skills Competition involves 18 items, among which the coffee-making will debut. Recently, Bridging News reporter interviewed Xu Junping, a China Technical Guidance Expert Group member, about the competition's coffee-making project.
Xu has been in the coffee industry for nearly thirty years. As the coffee training project leader at Chongqing Yubei Dianshuo Vocational Training School and China (Chongqing) Vocational Skills Public Training Center and the deputy secretary-general of the Chongqing Coffee Industry Association, she possesses extensive experience in coffee production competition judging and will serve as the deputy referee for the coffee production project in the upcoming competition.
The coffee production project combines skills, creativity, and customer experience into a single competition. Contestants must demonstrate their mastery of coffee professional knowledge and skills within a specified time and specific location, focusing on coffee production, tasting, innovation, and service skills. Notably, all coffee machines to be used in this competition, including grinders, coffee machines, and latte jars, are made in China.
Xu explained that the coffee-making competition primarily assesses two modules. The first module is the Classic Series, where participants must produce espresso and milk coffee within a set timeframe. The second module, the Creative Series, challenges contestants to create innovative coffee drinks within specified guidelines. Throughout the competition, participants from various countries use English to describe the characteristics and significance of their coffee creations to the judges. Therefore, the competition evaluates not only the contestants' coffee-making skills and innovation but also their proficiency in English, cultural understanding, and service orientation.
Xu Junping communicates with Italian experts. (Photo/Interviewee's picture)
Regarding the competition judges, experts with extensive experience in international competitions are being widely invited. The coffee-making program is overseen by technical and sensory judges, who comprehensively evaluate the contestants' coffee based on appearance, taste, operational standards, professionalism, service etiquette, and customer awareness. This evaluation not only assesses the contestants' coffee-making and service abilities but also reflects their accumulated knowledge and understanding, requiring baristas to demonstrate their comprehensive skills holistically.
Discussing the significance of organizing this competition for China's coffee industry, Xu said, "This competition serves not only as a skill competition but also as a catalyst for promoting the coffee industry in Chongqing. Chinese baristas can showcase their professional expertise and innovative capabilities through an internationally standardized platform. Simultaneously, they can learn from international best practices, thereby raising the industry's overall standards, enhancing talent development modes and standards, and fostering the exchange and growth of coffee culture."