Memphis Belle cafe’s Nick Clark is officially the best barista in town after winning the Wellington heats of the New Zealand barista championships at the weekend.
Clark, representing the Flight Coffee roastery, competed with 16 others for the title, with the top two gaining automatic entry to the nationals.  Wildcard decisions by the judges mean that three of the eight national finalists are from Wellington.
Clark  was competing for the third time and says he is amazed at the level of skill and knowledge on display.
“It was a much higher standard this year,” Clark says. “In general, people are learning more because there is lots more education around.”
Runner-up Jenna Brom, of Ozone Coffee Roasters in New Plymouth, was ecstatic with her result.
“It was not expected at all. After watching some of the other competitors I thought I could make top six, but not top three,” she says.
Brom says she is expecting to have to double her practise time to be competitive at the national finals, while Clark is going to “start boot camp on Monday” to ensure he is ready.
Fellow competitors Massimo Capellino of Fuel Espresso and Aymon McQuade of Bell Tea and Coffee also gain entry to the national finals by receiving wildcards from the judges.
Capellino and McQuade were the only two competitors in the country to receive wildcards.
Head judge Brydon Price says he is unsurprised by the quality of the baristas’ performances.
“Wellington always brings a very high standard to competitions,” Price says.
“This is a reflection of where Wellington is in the coffee scene.”
Coffee Roasters Association president Tony Kerridge puts Wellington’s depth down to experience.
“I went to Auckland [for their heats] and 16 out of 20 entrants were there for the first time,”  Kerridge says. “Over half of the baristas here today have competed before, and it shows.”
The national finals will be held on April 16 at Mojo Coffee’s head quarters at Shed 13 on the waterfront.