DUBAI, 7 March 2007 — Vikram Kashyap, barista at Blends & Brews Coffee Shoppe, an international chain of coffee shops launched by the Thumbay Group, has won the overall championship at the Indian Barista championship held at Grand Ashoka Hotel in Bangalore, India, on Saturday. He also won the award for his signature drink – “Amrut Pyala”.
By winning the championship, Kashyap will represent India at the World Barista Championship to be held in Tokyo during June-July this year, said Farhad C., business development officer at the group. In all 37 baristas participated in the championship, with Kashyap adjudged first among the six finalists.
The event was organized by Specialty Coffee Association of India along with Coffee Board of India. An international panel of judges from Australia, Italy, India and Norway judged the participants.
Blends & Brews Coffee Shoppe is planning to start a chain of outlets in the UAE during the coming months in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman.
Thumbay Group is also planning to start special merchandising and set up a training academy for baristas by the end of the year.
“The academy will be the first of its kind in the region and we wish to train young professionals who are interested to become baristas,” said Thumbay Moideen, president of the group. “Winning such awards is very encouraging for our staff and it reflects our vision of being the best in what we do.”