Coffee Making Training Package now in Port Vila

Media Release: February 2008 Following the success of the country’s first ever international Barista  (coffee making)  competition, a special set of training CD’s has been created and donated to the Vanuatu  Hospitality Tourism & Leisure Training Centre today. Training Centre Manager of Vanuatu’s Hospitality training college, Mr Richard Ierongen and  Chairman of the Vanuatu Hotels and Resorts Association, Mr Tony Burns celebrated the  donation of the CD set at the national institute this morning.  The CD collection shows how  to prepare for one of the many international competitions held around the world and also how  to bring out the competitors creative side in “Latte Art”. “We are really happy with this gift, our thanks go to the VHRA and the sponsors of the  Vanuatu Barista competition, Mr Rob Forsyth and his family in Australia and the AustralAsian. Specialty Coffee Association for their support” said Vanuatu training centre Manager, Mr  Richard Ierongen. “These CD’s will help our trainers and our students prepare for the next Barista competition which will be held later this year in Port Vila.  The training we put in to our staff and  students means that our Ni-Vanuatu competitors will have confidence to enter the Vanuatu  national competition and maybe even qualify to represent their country overseas”. Tony Burns of the VHRA agreed and offered continued support on behalf of the hotels and  resorts association: “ We now have the best cafes in the South Pacific.. a big claim but justified!  Vanuatu was the first country to hold an international Barista competition in the south pacific and we have continued to support the interest in perfect coffee making with our national training institute and these training CD’s.” The VHRA has already formed a sub committee of active members to facilitate the next Barista competition to be held in October later this year.  The AustralAsian Specialty Coffee Association has already pledged support to the annual  event and the ANZ bank of Port Vila has agreed to provide ongoing web site support  www.baristavanuatu.com to ensure the competition gathers world interest and international competitors. For further information: Contact Joanne Wade poppys_admin@vanuatu.com.vu