Belated congratulations to John Gordon of Gorilla Tampers for winning the UK Barista Championship in 2010 with a score of 687 points (including best espresso, best cappuccino and best signature drink). The contest involved a competition between the 20 best baristas in the UK at the Hotelympia show in London, which was held at the start of March. Second place went to Dale Harris of First Choice Coffee with 675.5 points and third place went to Neil Le Bihan of Exchange Coffee in Lewisham market with 651.5 points.

John will now represent the UK in the WBC and the SCAE World Championships at Cafe Culture in London during June 23-25.

John Gordon, August 2009

BestCuppa in Town interviewed John in 2009 following his triumph as the UK Latte Art champion and he told me he would become UK Barista champion – he has the drive and ambition and I think I may have a little bet on him to take the world title! He also told me of his newly found wood turning skills and his new venture Gorilla Tampers, which produces custom crafted hardwood handle tampers for the serious discerning barista who wants to avoid repetitive strain injury.

Demonstrating why John was the 2009 UK Latte Art Champion