Horeca Oman recently hosted Oman’s first National Barista Champion under SCA rules. And as with all competitions, there can be only one winner. And he is Rasam Adabi.
He is a busy man, especially now. But we did manage to get to know him a little as and hear his thoughts on how be prepared for the competition.
Who is Rasam Adabi?
A Coffee Enthusiast who loves sharing what I love with my community. For example, coffee, the stories behind them, and even my time to listen to them. I love listening to the never ending stories they tell.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Long walks to school listening to my favourite music that I still listen to. It helps rebuilding the visual memory much more clearer.
If you could have a do-over in life, what would you do differently?
Difficult question! We all have regrets in life. I consider them as the main materials of the future and upcoming paved paths.
What do you feel most proud of?
My Family, and my community. Family never lets you down no matter how wrong you are. Community and friends are where you build your ideas upon and grow with their support. Never forget that this is not a one way road.
If you could keep only 3 possessions, what would they be and why?
Your difficult questions don’t finish here lol. But it would be my passport, endless tickets, and enough money to visit all coffee farms and specialty coffee shops around the word. I love meeting new people and their stories.
How do you want to be remembered?
I really did think about this but I cant give a clear answer, sorry.
What are you most passionate about?
Building a community around coffee no matter their background and race.
What is your favorite coffee?
Of course you know by now that Three Coffee’s Finca Nuguo has a special place in my heart by now. And definitely Espresso is my most favorite method.
In which coffee shops are we likely to bump into you?
In Dubai? Grey and Typica. And coffee tasting sessions at Three Coffee Roastery.
In Oman? You can find me in Crown Muscat, No 10, Swa, and sometimes Azura.
What does a perfect day look like?
Having coffee and cruising around visiting people and coffee shops, and finding new sceneries to spend my time at.
How did you prepare for the barista competition?
First you gotta choose your coffee supplier. In my case, I was blessed to know Three Coffee and Drew Dennehy and his team, Karthikeyan and Uliana. You can check Three Coffee’s instagram for the story behind the Panama Geisha I used for the competition provided by Three. The most beautiful coffee I have tasted by far. Notes were sooooo clear and easy to find, extremely sweet, yet so complex!
Then the power of community and friends. Having a venue to practice and friends who helped me with the procedure from flavor matching until the backstage of the competition stage. Only those who you can rely on, but never expect things to be ready made for you. They just make it easier. Its all on you.
Never ending support from my friends at Crown Muscat International (Bogdan, Valentine, Vincent,….) , Number 10 coffee shop in Muscat (Yashar Afkary, Mojtaba Abnar, Alireza “alex”), and my sister who was always there for me, and Mojtaba Akbari (swa) are the golden parts of the community I mentioned earlier.
Never forget watching as many Championship videos as you can. They’re all online and free! Take notes and learn from what they did to achieve. Or even what they did wrong! And finally think of “how can I do it better?”
Build your confidence over training, but don’t be afraid of changes.
Imagine I made it to the finals having 1 second short of getting disqualified. 15:59! But I didn’t give up and prayed for a second chance. I GOT LUCKY! And on the final stage I did it! 14:48 overall time and happy with my performance!
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