Dubliner named best coffee maker in world

A 25-YEAR-OLD Dubliner has credited his smile and Irish milk for helping him become the world’s best coffee maker.

Stephen Morrissey from Skerries in Dublin prepared four espressos, four cappuccinos and four original signature drinks in front of a live audience at the World Barista Championships in Copenhagen on Sunday.

However, the secret ingredients to his perfect cappuccino were his personality and Avonmore milk. “Apparently I was friendly, which helped as a lot of the other competitors were a little bit wooden,” Stephen told RTÉ radio yesterday. “I pained about deciding what kind of coffee, cups and milk to use. I wanted to use Avonmore,” he said, adding that it was “nice to have something Irish on stage with him”.

Fifty-one other national champions competed in front of an audience of hundreds. Seven judges assessed the drinks on their taste, cleanliness, creativity, technical skill and overall presentation.

Stephen said he did not necessarily want to win as he has just started a coffee roasting business in London and the winner usually travels all over the world. The prize was an espresso machine and grinder.

Last year’s winner was James Hoffmann from the UK, who coached Stephen and is also his new business partner.

Baristas from Australia and the Netherlands took second and third place in the competition.