Press release -
Hounslow barista wows judges with drink innovation to win top speciality drink title at Costa international final
A Hounslow barista has wowed a panel of judges including Costa’s Master of Coffee Gennaro Pelliccia, TV chef Phil Vickery, and food writer Rose Prince with his brand new drink innovation.
Kungku Gurung, 24, who has worked at the Heathrow Premier Inn Costa store for 7 years beat stiff competition from some of Costa’s most accomplished baristas around the world to be awarded the Speciality Drink title at the Champion of Champions final held at Vinopolis, London.
Kungku impressed the judges with his innovative new drink creation, the Doppio Cortado Chocolate Indulgence. Developed by Kungku and his team, the drink combines espresso coffee with a blend of Kungku’s homemade milk and white chocolate, topped with pouring cream and sprinkles of Belgian chocolate.
In addition Kungku was also awarded 2nd place in the event’s overall Barista of the Year competition beating thousands of Costa baristas across the globe for the title. He wins a two-night break to a Costa inspired location of his choice along with a trophy.
The 24 year old barista said of his win:
“I can’t believe I’ve won this title with my speciality drink. It’s been great having all of my team come and support me today, it’s given me great confidence in my skills as a barista. I’m glad that all of my development work, creating my own chocolate recipe and really perfecting my drink has led to me being awarded this title and to come second in the overall Barista of the Year competition is just overwhelming!”
Head judge Costa’s Master of Coffee Gennaro Pelliccia said of Kungku:
“Kungku did a fantastic job against some outstanding competition. His drink creation was so creative and really brought out the flavour of the chocolate and coffee combination, with his indulgent recipe. I know our drinks development team have been watching today, so who knows the Doppio Cortado Chocolate Indulgence could be coming to a Costa near you in the future!”
Kungku joins a list of prestigious Barista of the Year winners including 2012 winner Victoria Stewart who inspired and helped develop Costa’s Chocolate & Orange Mocha Latte that successfully launched into stores last year, and 2013 runner-up Tatum Clews who was promoted to a senior training role following her success in the competition, coaching and developing Costa’s baristas of the future.
-Ends-
For media enquiries please contact:
Stacie Wood – Costa PR Executive on Stacie.Wood@Whitbread.com or 07785 451245
Notes to Editors:
The Costa Barista of the Year competition first launched in the UK in 2006. It operates on a global scale whereby contestants from all of Costa’s 30 international markets can compete for the ‘Champion of Champions’ title.
Previous Barista of the Year finalists including 2012 finalists Rob Pound and Victoria Stewart have helped to influence future Costa drinks ranges working with the Costa innovation team to create the Chocolate & Orange Mocha Latte. Other finalists including 2013 runner-up Tatum Clewes has seen her career progress within the coffee shop brand as a result of the competition, being promoted to a managerial training role to tutor the next generation of Costa baristas.
Topics
- Lifestyle
Categories
- our people
Costa is the UK’s favourite coffee shop, having been awarded “Best Branded Coffee Shop Chain in the UK and Ireland" by Allegra Strategies for four years running (2010, 2011, 2012 & November 2013).
Winner of “Best Branded Coffee Chain in Europe” Allegra Strategies 2011, 2012 and 2013.
With over 1,755 coffee shops in the UK and more than 1,000 overseas, Costa is the fastest growing coffee shop business in the UK and the second largest coffee shop operator in the world. Founded in London by Italian brothers Sergio and Bruno Costa in 1971, Costa has become the UK’s favourite coffee shop chain and has recently diversified into both the at-home and gourmet self-serve markets.
Costa employs over 13,000 people and is creating around 1,500 jobs this year and over 4,500 jobs in the next 3 years in the UK.
Costa is committed to looking after coffee-growers. That's why we've established The Costa Foundation, a registered charity. The Costa Foundation's aims are to relieve poverty, advance education and the health and environment of coffee-growing communities around the world. So far, The Costa Foundation has funded the building of 42 schools and improved the social and economic welfare of coffee-growing communities.
