Haskins Snowhill Garden Centre in Crawley is delighted to announce the triumph of restaurant supervisor Adam Kelly, who recently clinched victory in the regional heats of Costa Coffee UK’s Barista of the Year competition, propelling him into the final round for the UK and Ireland.
Adam’s journey to success began by clinching the top spot in Haskins’ internal competition, followed by a remarkable win in the fiercely contested Costa Coffee franchise heats. Now, he is set to compete against the finest baristas from Costa Coffee’s outlets across the UK and Ireland, vying for his place in the International Barista of the Year competition.
Expressing gratitude for Haskins’ role in his advancement, Adam remarked, “I am thrilled to have progressed to the national Costa Coffee competition, and the support Haskins has provided has been brilliant. One of the biggest reasons I love working here is that Snowhill is one tight unit, we love working together and that puts a spring in your step when coming into work every day. It feels like a family.” Adam continued: “I have a passion for coffee, and love to spend my spare time experimenting with different types of coffee beans and methods. I know better than anyone that having an awful or amazing coffee can make a huge difference to your day. I am so excited to have the opportunity to take part in the national competition and have the opportunity to demonstrate the skills I have developed as a barista.”
A valued member of the Snowhill team for five years, 24-year-old Adam follows in the footsteps of Haskins’ own Michaela Wilson. Michaela secured third place in the International Costa competition in 2023 and has been instrumental in mentoring Adam for the upcoming stages of the contest.
Driven by his passion for coffee, Adam spends his spare time experimenting with various coffee beans and brewing techniques. He understands firsthand the impact of a superb cup of coffee on one’s day and is thrilled at the prospect of showcasing his skills as a barista on the national stage.
Jason Froggatt, Group Catering Manager for Haskins, commented, “We have been running our in-house Barista of the Year competition for several years, which is a great opportunity to support our colleagues’ personal development and growth.
“The Snowhill team are proud to have Adam representing the wider Haskins brand in 2024. We’ll all be cheering him on and helping where we can so that he receives the recognition he deserves as he progresses through the Costa Coffee competition stages.”
For over 14 years, Haskins has proudly partnered with Costa Coffee and stands as the sole garden centre brand in the United Kingdom serving Costa Coffee within its centre restaurants.
To discover more about Haskins Garden Centres and the extensive range of plants and gardening advice available, please visit www.haskins.co.uk. Alternatively, stay updated and share any garden-related queries by following @HaskinsGarden on Twitter and @HaskinsGardenCentres on Facebook.
Adam Kelly (Photo Credit – Costa Coffee UK)