FNB Coffee Magazine Awards announces 2019 winners

Barista of the Year went to Simnikiwe Mkhize of Rosetta Roastery. Warren Fenner (RMB) and Jayendran Pillay (FNB) delivered the award to uproarious applause from the crowd.

Cape Town’s Rosetta Roastery and Johannesburg’s Bean There Coffee Company walked away with top honours. Rosetta Roastery won the Roastery of the Year award with their head barista, Simnikiwe Mkhize, taking home the coveted Barista of the Year award. Bean There Coffee Company was named Team of the Year with the company’s Cuth Bland taking home the coveted Excellence in Coffee Award.

“I can’t believe it!” said Mkhize, addressing 200 invited delegates at the awards’ ceremony. “This award is because of my team, my customers and my friends.” Mkhize, who is originally from Durban, is also the reigning Western Cape Barista Champion and the 2017 KZN Barista Champion.

The FNB Coffee Magazine Awards were initiated in 2018 to bring South African coffee professionals together while recognising and celebrate excellence within the industry.

2019 FNB Coffee Magazine Award winners

Dedication to Education Award
Dave Bassett - Woza Coffee

Best Cafe Design
Pauline's

Excellence in Coffee Award
Cuth Bland - Bean There Coffee Company

Best New Café
Holiday Coffee

Best New Roastery
Bluebird Coffee Roastery

Readers Choice Award for Favourite Café
Fàbrica Cafe

Readers Choice Award for Favourite Franchise
Seattle Coffee Co

Best Alternative Brewing Experience
Origin Coffee Roasting

Barista Trainer of the Year
Belinda Flynn - Flynn Coffee

Coffee Personality of the Year
Winston Thomas - Winston Douglas Consulting

Coffee Team of the Year
Bean There Coffee Company

Cafe of the Year
Thirdspace

Roastery of the Year
Rosetta Roastery

Barista of the Year
Simnikiwe Mkhize - Roasetta Roastery