Barista competition offers chance to shineーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts:

• Barista Competition for People with Disabilities
• Inclusivity in Employment
• Skill Development
• Time Management in Competition
• Team Coordination and Communication
• Coffee Blending and Taste Evaluation
• Personal Growth and Future Aspirations

Barista Competition for People with Disabilities in Tokyo

This fall, Tokyo hosted an annual barista competition for individuals with disabilities, an event that has been held since 2021. The primary objective of this competition is to foster inclusivity by enhancing participants' skills and creating more employment opportunities within the coffee industry. NHK World's Kawahara Akari documented the journey of one team, "Cafe," making their debut at this year's event.

Team "Cafe" - A New Contender

Nine teams, having successfully navigated online qualifiers, converged in Tokyo to demonstrate their expertise in crafting and serving exceptional coffee. Among them was "Cafe," a team hailing from Mie Prefecture, with each member possessing prior work experience at their local cafe. They learned about the competition through employment support centers and dedicated months to rigorous practice.

Izumi Hiroyuki's Leadership and Dedication

Team leader Izumi Hiroyuki, who sustained a significant injury approximately 15 years ago, juggled his rehabilitation sessions with intensive preparation for the barista contest. His stated goal was to achieve a "top tier finish" through "diligent practice," emphasizing the necessity of producing "coffee of consistently high quality."

Overcoming Time Constraints: A Strategic Approach

A significant challenge for Team "Cafe" was the requirement to complete their entire coffee-making process within a strict 10-minute timeframe. Initially, their total time hovered around 12 minutes due to difficulties in task coordination. Izumi dedicated considerable time to studying videos of past competitions to identify strategies for time optimization. He observed that high-ranking teams utilized a leader to issue instructions, with team members responding sequentially.

Implementing a New Workflow

Inspired by this observation, Team "Cafe" immediately adopted a similar directive-response system. They practiced this new approach repeatedly, successfully reducing their execution time to consistently beat the 10-minute limit, achieving it within 9 minutes. Each team member meticulously practiced their assigned tasks, receiving constructive feedback from supporters on aspects like "alignment."

Competition Day and Performance

On the day of the competition, Team "Cafe" presented their "shiny blend," a unique coffee creation. The name "shiny blend" reflects their aspiration for everyone to have the chance to "shine in their work." They successfully completed their demonstration within the 10-minute limit.

Results and Impact

The team's hard work culminated in a second-place finish, recognized for the exceptional taste of their unique blend. The experience proved highly valuable for the participants. Izumi Hiroyuki expressed that it was a "good experience because I thought things through myself" and he hopes to "apply these skills at my workplace."

Future Aspirations

Team "Cafe" is already looking forward to participating in next year's competition, eager for another opportunity to "shine even brighter."

Conclusion

The barista competition for people with disabilities in Tokyo serves as a powerful platform for promoting inclusivity, skill development, and employment opportunities. Team "Cafe's" journey highlights the importance of strategic planning, dedicated practice, effective team coordination, and the personal growth that can be achieved through challenging oneself in competitive environments. The event not only showcases the talent of baristas with disabilities but also inspires them to pursue their professional aspirations.