Training Log by Niels Te Vaanhold - How expensive is it to compete?

How expensive is it to compete in a coffee competition?

For myself. In the first years where I was competing in a lot of small competitions and also for the first time in the nationals it was really expensive. At that time I didn’t know a lot of coffee people, so I had to buy all the things for myself.

Now a few years later, I work for a big coffee roastery in the Netherlands, and they support me when I compete. Also, I have some sponsors that help me with equipment.

But let's go back to my first big competition the brewer's cup, the first year I competed I bought a lot of stuff that cost me a lot of money.

Summary:

3 x acacia pearl: € 360

3 x Kalita wave 185: € 120

4 x Hario server: € 120

So this already cost me € 600. The coffee I got for free because I competed in the name of a roastery.  

In the begin, it is hard to find people that would help you with the support. But when you start competing and get to know more people and help other people sharing your knowledge, they also give you a lot back. So ask people for help, ask them to borrow their equipment. Ask for sponsors. This helped me a lot and also made it easier to compete.

So if you want to compete and don’t have a lot of money, ask other baristas/roasters/brands for help and advice. And even if you have to buy a lot of things. You should still try to compete because competition experience is something you cant buy.