HRC to host The UK Coffee in Good Spirits Championships


The Hotel, Restaurant & Catering (HRC) event is, for the first time, partnering with The Speciality Coffee Association (The SCA UK) to host the UK Coffee in Good Spirits Championship (UKCiGS) and UK Brewers Cup Championship (UKBrCC) from March 3 to 5 at ExCel in London.

The SCA UK represents UK-based members of the SCA. Its primary aim is to organise and run the UK National Coffee Championships, which leads into the World Championships, and to host events, which inform, educate and bring together the ever-growing UK coffee community.

Its overriding goal is to spread the word about enjoying great coffee. In 2018 in the UK we consumed 95 million cups of coffee a day, a 25 million cup increase from the 70 million consumed in 2018.

What’s involved in the championships?

The Coffee in Good Spirits Championships is designed to encourage interest and entry to the competition from a host of aspiring bar tenders, mixologists and baristas.  Entrants are asked to prepare their own hot or cold coffee cocktails to be presented to the judges.   The highest scoring six competitors go through to the final round.  Next up, is to prepare the perfect Irish Coffee, plus one hot or cold coffee cocktail. This is the only competition where contestants can use alcohol. Contestants are judged on their technical skills, the aesthetic appeal of the drink and of course the taste.

What does the Brewers Cup final entail?

This is a compulsory round and highlights the ever-growing craft of skilled manual filter coffee brewing.  It also promotes those individuals who are super-skilled in this area. Entrants must prepare three coffees for the judges.  Each must shine in consistency, taste and quality.

HRC is the one of the UK’s largest and most prestigious events for the hospitality and foodservice industry. It will welcome 650 suppliers showcasing ground-breaking products from big brands to innovative start-ups in catering equipment, food, drink, technology, interior design and tabletop solutions. To cater to the industries thirst for knowledge, HRC educates 21,000 visitors on the latest trends and issues plus plays host to the UK’s most prestigious chef competition – Salon Culinaire.