Best Barista

Gold Winner Laura Arsenault, Java Blend Coffee Roasters

Silver Winner Dan Weir, Weird Harbour Espresso Bar

Bronze Winner Jeremy Waterman, Dilly Dally Coffee Cafe

After working at Java Blend for “many a year,” Laura Arsenault has finally struck gold. “We are exceptionally fortunate that we do have an amazing, consistent clientele year after year,” she says, humbly. “They just seem to come back and as a result we are able to form some really amazing personal relationships with them.” Her personal favourite coffee drink? A double short breve—espresso topped with steamed cream. But being a good barista is about more than knowing your caffeinated beverages. Arsenault says it takes being “interested and invested in not only their clientele, but also the folks that they are working with.”