Celebrating the Best Local Coffee Makers: The 13th Philippine Grand Barista Cup

It is true-making coffee is an art that needs to be celebrated. This year, coffee aficionados and industry leaders will again gather to witness the biggest and grandest barista cup in the country. Hosted by Allegro Beverage Corporation, the 13^th Philippine Grand Barista Cup (PGBC) is the longest-running coffee-making competition in the country. It aims to recognise the best and the brightest local coffee makers by showcasing their exceptional skills and the extensive knowledge in the art of coffee mixology and creative art.

Aside from awarding exceptional talent and world-class artistry, PGBC also aims to increase the appreciation for specialty coffee focusing on the Philippine Arabica beans. The competition will be judged by an international panel: Marco Poidomani (2019 Italian Barista Champion), Fabian Fredriksson (Marketing manager of Crem, APAC), Tristan Destura (1883 Maison ROUTIN Brand Ambassador), Fenando Menendez (Franke Coffee System Asia Sales Director) and our local connoiseurs Ernie Mesina (Espresso Chef and Master Baristsa), Joe Marie Lichangco (2019 / 2018 Philippine National Latte Art Champion), Kevin Israel (EDSA Beverage), Errol Martin (PNBC Technical Judge), Robert Ian Paguiligan (UCC Coffee Master II), Vanessa Caceres (Training Manager of Commune), Rezenil Bernardo (PNLAC Technical Judge) and Paul Vincent Asuncion (Head Barista, Toby’s Estate) and Sherwin Halasan (Customer Care Engineer Allegro Beverage).

For this year, PGBC also teams up with renowned brands like Expobar Onyx Pro espresso machines, Franke Coffee System, Mahlkonig Coffee Grinder, Caffe Moak, 1883 Syrups and major sponsors are Milklab by Grand Nourriture, UCC Philippines, UCC Coffee Academy, Blizzard Refrigeration, BDO, Lotus Biscoff and Far Easten University. Participants include Karl Zouriel Lat (independent competitor) John Richard Co (Chapter Coffee Roastery & Cafe), JC Landicho (Magnum Opus), Kenneth Prado (Pares Coffee and FlavorsCraft), Essamuel Casablanca Jr. (Scholar Cafe) and Clark Daniel Bernales (Scholar Cafe).

The Grand Winner will take home the PGBC Champion trophy, a FRANKE Fully Automatic espresso/cappuccino machine worth 100,000 pesos, Expobar Barista kit worth 15,000 pesos, Coffee class in UCC Coffeee Academy and Local Coffee Appreciation and Farm tour in ATOK, Benguet by Beviamo Coffee and Beverages, Milklab products, Buffet voucher from Marriott Manila and other prizes from sponsors.  Aside from the competition, the event also will highlight the launch of Allegro Gourment Syrups, a collection of 10 delicious syrup flavors – 5 that compliment any hot or cold application coffee application-Vanilla, Caramel, Hazelnut, Almond and Chocolate. And another 5 tasty and fruity flavors to go with any tea or beverage, cocktail, or mocktail-Strawberry, Peach, Lychee, Mint & Green Apple. The 6^th Philippine Grand Latte Art Throwdown will be held on Sept 12 and 13^th Philippine Grand Barista Cup will be held on September 13 at the world Trade Center.

ABOUT ALLEGRO BEVERAGE

Allegro Beverage is an importer, distributor, and service provider for world-class espresso machines such as Expobar, Franke and Nouva Simonelli among others. They also provide premium coffee beans, gourmet syrups, purees, frappe powders and sauces.  For many years, Allegro has been preferred coffee solutions provider in the Philippines, catering to a variety of markets – hotels, casinos, restaurants, cafes and offices. Clients include esteemed international brands like Shangrila, Marriott, Sofitel, City of Dreams, Starbucks, Coffee Project, Google and Facebook. Allegro offices are located in Manila, Cebu, Davao, Pampanga and Guam, USA, with provincial dealers in Pangasinan, Baguio, Dagupan, Iloilo, Bacolod, and Cagayan de Oro.  

www.allegrobeverage.com