Witnessing the World Barista Championship by some of the Scai members and an Indian winning the third position for the first time motivated Scai to organize India Barista Championship (IBC) in a grand and professional manner in 2003.

The purpose is to bring pride to the profession of barista, who can make or mar a good coffee. Scai felt that as the café culture is growing in India, this community needs to be given the due respect and encouragement after all they are the backbone of a café.

Eight companies participated as under, sending 22 contestants:

1. Café Coffee Day,
2. Barista Coffee Co. Ltd.
3. Qwikys
4. Doddamane Coffee Co.
5. Espresso Philia
6. Kaapi Corner
7. Chaitanyaa Coffee
8. Guru Coffee Works

The preliminary rounds were held on the 5th Feb 03 when 12 baristi were selected for Semi final rounds at Taj West End on the 7th Feb 03.

Six made it to the finals on the 8th Feb 03.

On the final rounds the following were chosen for the positions given aside:

1. Vikram Khurana
   Café Coffee day Platinum
2. Sanjeev H.Kumar
   Café Coffee day Gold
3. Thomson Baby
   Café Coffee day Silver
4. Kaushik Aich
   Café Coffee day Bronze
5. Shouvik Paul
   Café Coffee day Merit
6. Mohd. Asgar
   Barista Coffee Co.Ltd. Merit

Many coffee enthusiasts visited the event on the 7th and 8th Feb 03 at Taj West End, to witness the first ever IBC conducted in professional and grand manner. The Baristi contestants were so thrilled when they were encouraged and supported by the spectators gathered in large number to witness this unique competition conducted in India for the first time in their presence.
The presentation and felicitation ceremony was held in "Royal Ball Room" of the Leela Palace Bangalore, and had a touch of the "Oscar awards nite" as commented by some of the attendees of the functions.

It was a presentation ceremony with a difference attended by all concerned with coffee business starting from the planters to consumers and by the senior media executives and reporters.

The winners were declared during the function by the sponsors, Mr.Trygve Klingenberg, Executive Director., WBC Committee and President of SCAE (Specialty Coffee Association of Europe)

Ms. Lakshmi Venkatachalam, Chairperson, Coffee Board, declared the No.1 position which was awarded to Mr.Vikram Kurana of Café Coffee Day.

The sponsors, national & International Jury members headed by Mr.Trygve Klingenberg were feliciated with a well designed certificate and memento for their support and encouragement but for which IBC 2003 would not have been appreciated by many coffee enthusiasts.

D M PURNESH
Chairman - - - IBC 2003