I haven’t shot a coffee competition for a couple of years. The Detpak Australian Barista Championship is back in Melbourne after a few years in Queensland, so here are images of the 6 finalists competing. All the photos here on Flickr. High res images will be uploaded later.
Update: Here are 7 restaurants I’ve been to that are on the 2012 World Top 50 restaurants:
Per Se (6), Dinner (9), The Fat Duck (13), The Ledbury (14), Le Bernardin (19), The French Laundry (43), Bras (47)
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After part 1, here’s the summary of dining experiences in 2011 spanning New York, Stockholm, Zurich, UK and France:
Michelin 3 star (6)
Per Se, New York, USA
Le Bernadin, New York, USA
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, London, UK
The Fat Duck, 2nd visit, Bray, UK
Michel Bras, 2nd meal, Laguiole, France
Waterside Inn, Bray, UK
Michelin 2 star (4)
Corton, New York, USA
Kajitsu: Vegetarian, Japanese, New York, USA
The Ledbury, London, UK
Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, Great Milton, Oxfordshire, UK
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Places to visit in the future:
Hand and Flowers in Marlow, Le Champignon Sauvage, Cheltenham, Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley, Square, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, Hibiscus, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Le Gavroche
Michelin 1 star (9)
Osteria Da Fiore, Venice, Italy
La Vielle Fontaine, Hotel d’Europe, Avignon, France
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, 2nd visit, London, UK
Château de Salettes, Cahuzac-sur-Vère
Bruno, Lorgues, France
Locanda Locatelli, London, UK
Le Jules Verne, Paris, France
Hakkasan, London, UK
Yauatcha, London, UK
Great food:
Sasabune NY: Japanese, #1 rated in Zagat
Curry Corner, Cheltenham, UK
Cafe Comptoir Abel, Lyon, France
Le Splendid, Lyon, France
Alla Botte, Venice, Italy
L’Osteria di Santa Marina, Venice, Italy
Do Ciacole, Mestre, Italy
Koffmans, London, UK
Bibury Court Hotel, Bibury, UK
Roka, London, UK
Mas Rodières, Cornillon, France
Gerard Alonso, Sorgues, France
Bakfickan restaurant at the Operakällaren, Stockholm
Den Gyldene Freden, Stockholm
Pontus Frithiof by the Sea, Stockholm
Zunfthaus zur Waage, Zurich
Le Vieux Four, Mouriès
Relais de l’Entrecote, Paris
The Anchor, UK: Pub food in Oxford
Gia Schiavi, Venice: great cichetti
Toloache: Really good Mexican
Katz’s (Deli): Make sure you eat the Pastrami
Plaza Hotel food hall: Awesome food hall – the Pastrami and Wagyu burger is a winner
Balthazar’s (French bistro): Food is best at dinner, brunch/lunch can be variable
Pylos (Greek): Amazing Greek food
Emporio (Italian): Excellent pasta
Ippudo (Japanese): Soba noodles, busy at night
It’s claimed to be the “WORLD’S FASTEST 13′ MACBOOK PRO”. Even if it’s not, it looks great and it’ll be blazing fast: