TENSION was high at the Chinderah BP Wild Bean Cafe as barista Jess Harris prepared to take on Australia’s best in the 2011 Barista Competition scheduled to begin in Melbourne tomorrow.

The young barista is vying for a $7000 trip to New York, with $1000 spending money, and he’s more than prepared after spending months perfecting his mocha mousse macchiato.

Temperature gauge in one hand, milk jug in the other, Mr Harris is ready to make Chinderah BP Connect the official home of the national award.

“I’ve just been laying out all the presentation for my signature drink,” Mr Harris said.

“It’s a mocha mousse macchiato – a dessert-style coffee with a really strong flavour.”

Mr Harris said he found coffee fascinating and was hoping his intense love for coffee would set him apart from the competition.

“My biggest point of difference is that I think I like coffee more than anyone else in the competition,” he said.

“I think it’s pretty fascinating. What you aim for as a barista is consistent quality, so practise is the key. My aim is to bring the cafe culture higher in Australia and share my knowledge with other baristas. It’s going to be a big day – bring it on.”

He said having already travelled around New York he knew exactly where he would head if he won. And he’s confident he has the tricks up his sleeve to make it happen.

The 12 Wild Bean Cafe Australian barista finalists will be put to the test preparing four of their best selling beverages in just eight minutes – a long black, cappuccino, hot chocolate and banoffee indulgent latte – for a panel of six professional judges.

The competition has been running since 2005 in a bid to recognise the company’s best baristas.

Serving 18,000 cups a day, Wild Bean Cafes across Australia have 980 baristas registered nationally.

The beans at Wild Bean Cafe are 100% Fairtrade Certified and Wild Bean Cafe has also claimed a silver ranking from consumer magazine Choice.