Gayan Munaweera, coffee development manager and Q Grader, UCC Coffee UK & Ireland has beaten strong competition to win the SCAE UK Cup Tasters Championship 2015.
The competition, which tests the ability of the competitors on speed, skill and accuracy in distinguishing the taste differences in speciality coffee, attracted entries from 24 of the UK’s top and most distinguished coffee tasters.
Gayan Munaweera, commented: “To come out on top when competing against a field of such talented and successful coffee professionals is brilliant. I was especially proud to be the only contestant to get full marks in the final two heats, and I’m already looking forward to pitting myself against the world’s best at the finals in Shanghai next year.”
The 2015 UK Cup Tasters Competition, which took place at Cup North on 7 November, is made up of eight rounds of coffee cupping. In each round three cups are placed in front of each competitor. Two cups contain identical coffee and the third a different coffee. Competitors use smell, taste and experience to identify the odd cup as quickly as they can and whoever wins the most rounds is awarded the championship.
Gayan will now compete against coffee tasters from across the globe for the world title at the World Cup Tasters Championship in Shanghai from 29 March-1 April 2016.
Elaine Higginson, managing director, UCC Coffee UK & Ireland comments: “I’m delighted that Gayan is this year’s UK Cup Tasting Champion. We’re dedicated to delivering coffee excellence to all our customers and Gayan embodies the talent and passion for coffee that exists within our business. Every coffee that we source and roast is cupped and graded by Gayan and his team, ensuring it’s always of the highest standard. This win is testament to his ability to identify the best coffees for our customers.”