CTI conference

looking at the leaflet, the first two words IDEAS > INSPIRED just pop up

indeed it was an inspiring day today, speakers from all around sharing their stories, moments of glory, the hardship, understanding the market nowadays. 

from Mr. Van-Lin, 2 times Taiwan Barista Champion, to Mr Tony Tan, Head Barista of Les Amis Group, Mr Ryan, Singapore Champion, Ms. Cheryl Lee, Malaysia champion, Fai from Thailand, Mr Sk Leng, the managing editor of Coffee T&I magazine Malaysia edition, Mr. Tung-wei, co founder of 'F' by Buffalo kitchen and etc etc

Tung-wei from 'F' and Van-lin from GaBee

 Van-lin, who is also the owner of Gabee that have gone through years of hardship to where he stand now today. As what he said, knowing only how to make coffee doesn't determine the success of the business. This is so true, especially in the market nowadays, we see cafe mushrooming everywhere but also vanish at no times. Understanding the correct marketing techniques and branding was crucial in a business. For the past years, GaBee had collaborate with different brands which brings a bigger success to his own core business. I guess the willingness to sacrifice time and effort in his business pays off after all. 'Coffee is not only about drinking but also packaging' (btw, congrats to him for his newborn baby girl prior to this conference)

Cheryl and Ryan demonstrating on making coffee and latte art

 Two main question mention by him was 1. Why do you want to be in this industry?? is it merely for the love of the coffee or for the love of interaction with people. 2. Where do you want to stand in this field?? (i guess i need to find out the ans of this two though i'm not in this field totally)

Latte art by Ryan

 one thing i like that was being mention that day was 生活的态度 (hope this is the correct writing). i guess this is true, our daily attitude in life actually do affects us a lot in all terms, in relationship, in work, in socializing....

grinding, grinding

 For a barista, making good coffee is a basic, is the core job, is the responsibility, no tolerance on not performing the job. So, besides making good coffee, what else is there to be done, to be seen, or to be improve? 

saw how everyone pay full attention on every hand movement of Ryan??

 of course, every speaker share whatever they have done and motivating the young baristas, but at the end of the day, its all about making the first step. I guess i'll never fully understand the hardship they have gone through to reach the spot they are now. Some are just lucky, and some just work their ass off.

another awesome one

 after the sharing moments, we were separated in groups and going through 3 different workshop. On latte art with Ryan and Cheryl, creative coffee and cooking with coffee with Van-lin and Chef Jochern Kern, and also coffee pairing with Tony. I love the food pairing part the most because the chemistry behind the changes of flavor when pairing a simple food with and without the coffee is just interesting. even different coffee brings different changes of flavor for a same food (of course with Canele pralines..hihi..)

always fancy looking at all the swirl when the barista is making the latte art

 is making beautiful latte art achievable just mainly by practicing all day long or sometimes it does come naturally..a born talent..hhhmppp...

macarons from Berjaya college and pralines from Canele, for food pairing

 when it comes to cooking with coffee, the Chef was cooking turkey with coffee that had been reduced and quite heavily sweetened to cut off the bitterness from it and also some acidic ingredients playing the same roll. i would said it's not everyone kind of food but i do remember tasting the coffee flavoured ribs when i was doing internship. sorry to say, i guess the ribs tasted better with coffee than the turkey especially after it had been smoked. the intensity of the coffee with the smokey flavor was a good pairing, the bitterness of the coffee doesn't need to be cut off nor altered. 

thank you so much to all of them for the willingness to share their journey with us

'serve with a promise, serve with a heart'

sinny