News
Summary of 2020 ASCA AGM
The 2020 ASCA Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held online on Monday 24 May 2021. The meeting was officially opened by Secretary Melissa Caia, who acted as chairperson with Matthew Basso from Show Pony as moderator. Melissa confirmed the minutes of the preceding AGM,...
Australian FBT – Entertainment removal
Without the $44.6 billion spent by international tourists in Australia each year, the Australian Government is compelled to incentivise domestic business spending during the economic recovery. According to the Australian Government, the Hospitality and Tourism...
Changes to JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments
Changes to JobSeeker and Jobkeeper payments will come into effect form 25 and 28 September, respectively. Since March, JobSeeker payments have been effectively doubled to $1,100 a fortnight by a coronavirus supplement. From today, the supplement will fall to $250...
Congratulations to Australia’s best designed cafes!
The 2020 Eat Drink Design Awards shortlist has been announced, revealing the most exceptionally designed hospitality venues across Australia and New Zealand. The Best Café Design shortlist includes: The Garden Room – Maytree Studios – Brisbane City, Queensland Will...
Businesses doing it tough through COVID-19 reminded of tax options
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has reminded businesses doing it tough as a result of COVID-19 that they have a range of options including claiming a deduction for losses. ATO Assistant Commissioner Andrew Watson said “We know some small business owners are...
Meet the 2020 #ASCATop12 – Devin Loong
When did you begin competing in ASCA championships?The 2012 Victoria regional barista competition was my first competition. I didn’t know any better and took only 3 weeks to prepare. What inspired you to take part?I wanted to improve myself as a barista and a friend...
Meet the 2020 #ASCATop12 – Lloyd Thom
Second-seeded #ASCATop12 Cup Taster Lloyd Thom of Campos Coffee shares how experience on both sides of the bench prepared him for competition. When did you begin competing in ASCA championships?I first competed 10 years ago in the NSW Barista competition. I’ve...
Meet the 2020 #ASCATop12 – Sarah Jin
The multi-skilled Sarah Jin of Extraction Artisan in Queensland has not only topped the 2020 Brewers Cup #ASCATop12, but made an appearance on the Vitasoy Barista Championship list. When did you begin competing in ASCA championships?My first ASCA comp (Brewers Cup)...
Hospitality workers surveyed on what they expect the industry to look like after COVID-19
Online surveyor Qualtrics has released its Work Different study, revealing that more than half of Australian workers expect their workplace will change for the better after COVID-19. In the study of more than 1000 Australian workers, across...
Saturday 22 August is World Plant Milk Day!
Celebrate the goodness of Vitasoy’s Café for Baristas Soy, Almond and Oat – the plant milk that is perfect for your coffee. Vitasoy has been growing milk since 1940. Its Café for Baristas range is proudly Australian grown and made. Visit vitasoycafe.com.au for...
Stay strong, a message from ASCA President Kieran Westlake
A setback is not the same as failure. It’s just a learning opportunity for us to strengthen and move forward with renewed commitment. At time of writing, a return to stage three restrictions in Melbourne [and now stage four] has returned many businesses and...
Meet the 2020 #ASCATop12 – David Train
Southern Region Brewers Cup Champion and #ASCATop12 top seeded brewer David Train talks about how he has grown as a coffee brewer and professional thanks to competition. When did you begin competing in ASCA championships?My first ASCA competition was the Southern...
Meet the 2020 #ASCATop12 – Alice Park
#ASCATop12 member Alice Park reveals her journey from latte art enthusiast to champion of the Central Region. When did you begin competing in ASCA championship?My first competition was the 2018 Central Region Championship. What inspired you to take part?My passion...
WCE and SCA cancel 2020 World Coffee Championships due to COVID-19
World Coffee Events (WCE) and the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) have cancelled the 2020 World Coffee Championship events scheduled to take place in Melbourne and Warsaw, due to the impact of pandemic-related international visa and travel restrictions. The...
Meet the 2020 #ASCATop12 – Charlie Chu
Charlie Chu of St Ali shares why it was more than first time luck he won the 2020 Southern Region TCX Cup Tasters Championship. When did you begin competing in ASCA championships?The last Southern Regional TCX Cup Tasters was when I competed for the first time. What...
Meet the 2020 #ASCATop12 – Anthony Douglas
Southern Region Barista Champion and 2020 #ASCATop12 member Anthony Douglas reveals how competitions have helped him along his coffee journey. When did you begin competing in ASCA championships?I started competing in 2014. What inspired you to take part?The previous...
ATO releases tax time toolkit to help small businesses
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has released a tax time toolkit designed to help small businesses and their tax advisers. The toolkit packages up a series of easy-to-understand fact sheets on topics that small businesses need to know this tax time, especially...
Meet the 2020 #ASCATop12 – Hugh Kelly
Former Australian Barista Champion and current top-seeded competitor, Hugh Kelly of ONA Coffee, discusses overcoming early challenges and the power of espresso. When did you begin competing in ASCA championships?I started competing in 2012 in the ACT Barista...