York barista fourth in world coffee-making contest (From York Press)

York barista fourth in world coffee-making contest

9:02am Saturday 24th November 2012 in News By Haydn Lewis, haydn.lewis@thepress.co.uk

A YOUNG barista from York has come fourth in a world coffee-making championship.

Dan Fellows, 22, of Bishopthorpe, achieved renown in the World Coffee In Good Spirits contest held in Seoul, South Korea, creating two signature beverages and two Irish coffees. He served an espresso with Shiraz cocktail to the judges and for his Irish coffee course, he used Origin coffee, a secret ingredient, whiskey and cane sugar syrup.

The University of York first-year management student competed against 17 other countries from across the globe in Korea.

His coffee-making credentials come from managing a bar called The Hub in St Ives for almost a year and he is currently a representative for coffee company Origin. He said he was delighted he did so well in the contest.

Dan said: “On stage, I presented my first drinks successfully but had slight technical difficulties with my Irish coffee course. Despite this, it was announced that I had placed fourth in the world – a result I was very happy with.

“Throughout the week, I developed greatly and feel privileged to have represented the UK in such a great competition. I hope to use what I have learned moving forward and improve when performing in future events. We celebrated by going to Gangnam, but I won’t say if I did the dance!”

Dan works at The Attic bar, above Harlequins Cafe in King’s Square, York, which last year won the Beverage Standards Association’s award for best espresso in the UK – and was one of only six venues in the entire country to get the organisation’s top rating.

Owner Gordon Howell said he is proud of Dan’s achievement. He said: “It’s great news for Dan that his skills have been recognised in this way.”

The World Coffee in Good Spirits championship challenges baristas and bar staff to showcase coffee and spirits from the traditional Irish coffee with whiskey to cocktail combinations.