Food, Lifestyle

Allegro Beverage Corp Held 13th Philippine Grand Barista Cup 2019

Allegro Beverage President, Mr. Leo De Leon

Undeniably, the aromatic smell of coffee is a form of ‘low cost’ therapy. If you are looking for ways to drive away the Monday blues or to kick start your day with a bang, it’s almost a no-brainer to go for a cuppa. The aroma of coffee seems to carry a ‘feel’ good factor and it creates a positive psychological effect of calmness. Also, we are all aware that caffeine has the effect of perking you up.

It’s simply irresistible and having been able to be at a barista event was a glorious experience. I even got the chance to try joining a latte art contest!

Once again, Allegro Beverage Corporation staged a grand competition joined in by professional baristas from different regions in the country. It has already been their annual event to challenge pros in the Philippine Grand Barista Cup (PGBC), while the Latte Art Throwdown can be joined in by amateurs. This was where I was able to participate. Unfortunately I lost to others, but being able to stand up there creating a mug of my daily staple is an experience really worth sharing.

The event this year saw international panelists like Marco Poidemani (2019 Italian Barista Competition), Fabian Fredriksson (Marketing Manager of Crem, APAC), Tristan Destura (1883 Maison ROUTIN Brand Ambassador), and Fernando Menendez (Franke  Coffee Systems Asia Sales Director). Local connoisseurs were also, of course, tapped to join the panel, including Ernie Mesina, Joe Marie Lichangco, Kevin Israel, Errol Martin, Robert Ian Paguiligan, Vanessa Caceres, Rezeneil Bernardo and Paul Vincent Asuncion and Sherwin Halasan.

Participants of this year’s PGBC competition included baristas from different cafes like Karl Zouriel Lat, John Richard Go, JC Landicho, Kenneth Prado, Essamuel Casablanca Jr. and Clark Daniel Bernales.

Winning participant will be taking home tons of prices including a PGBC trophy, a P100,000-worth Franke fully automatic espresso/cappuccino machine, Expobar Barista kit worth P15,000, plus a coffee class at the UCC Coffee Academy and Local Coffee Appreciation and Farm tour in Atok Benguet by Beviamo Coffee and Beverages. Grand champion will also take home Milklab products, buffet vouchers from Marriott Manila and other exciting prizes from other sponsors.

Allegro Beverage aims to have the barista profession be recognized in the country. The country has honed some expert baristas who already made it to the top places at the Word Barista Championship, but none of them has taken the beans home yet. The preferred coffee solutions company also looks forward to having specialty coffee, especially the Philippine Arabica beans, be appreciated.

ABC partnered with renowned brands this year like Expobar Onyx Espresso Machines, Franke Coffee System, Mahlkonig Coffee Grinder, Caffe Moak, and 1883 Syrups. The event was sponsored by popular brands, too, like Milklab by Grand Nourriture, UCC Philippines, UCC Coffee Academy, Blizzard Refrigeration, BDO, Lotus Biscoff, and Far Eastern University.

The grand championship on the 6th Grand Latte Art Throwdown will go down on September 12-13, while the 13th Philippine Grand Barista Cup championship will happen on September 13. Both competitions will be held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Apart from these contests, Allegro is also geared up to launch the Allegro Gourmet Syrups featuring 10 delicious syrup flavors for your coffee. Five of which are described to compliment any hot or cold coffee including Vanilla, Caramel, Hazelnut, Almond, and Chocolate. The other 5 syrup flavors are said to go with any tea, cocktail, or mocktail including Strawberry, Peach, Lychee, Mint, and Green Apple.

For more information visit their website: www.allegrobeverage.com

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