Datuk Doddy Samsura : Barista Asia

Did you know that Doddy Samsura (29) only lost 2 points with the first winner of New Zealand’s Asia Barista Championship 2012 at the Food & Hoteal Asia convention in Singapore, on 17 – 20 April 2012.

A “civic duty” prevented me from attending this important event, but I was fortunate to meet Doddy this Tuesday at a café in South Jakarta, and I was asked to immediately do a quick photo session and talk about his experience in Singapore.

So what is his main recipe in defeating stage fright, especially regarding his experience performing on an international stage for the first time? Reflecting back on his personal experience as a champion of Indonesia Barista Championship in 2011, Doddy – who was born in Rantai Panjang, East Aceh – instead of seeing the performances of other contestants, chose to stroll around the FHA convention. At least, according to Doddy, it would take the strain of his mind during and after his turn to perform on the stage. According to Adi W. Taroepratjeka – one of Doddy’s mentors – Doddy’s calmness when performing, despite his inability to speak English, really helped him look his best.

The most interesting thing was Doddy’s answer when asked for his advice to the Indonesian barista. Technical mastery is not enough, but an extensive knowledge about coffee – inside and outside. He also sees one of the reasons some barista failed while competing the IBC last year was due to their grinding adjustment skills. Many lacked the mastery of this important aspect, and it affected the espresso as the outcome.

Doddy the progeny has already opened a way for other Indonesian baristas to follow his footsteps, and this country can be proud to have an Asian-calibre barista… Doddy Samsura!

Doddy’s task was not easy – representing Indonesia and competing against fourteen of the best participants from other Asian countries and having to persuade the jury of his quality as an international barista. Before heading to Singapore, Doddy was provided with plenty of knowledge passed on to him by people who have had extensive experiences working in Indonesian coffee industry – and also supported by the Specialty Coffee Indonesian Association.

Tahukah Anda kalau Doddy Samsura (29 tahun) hanya terpaut 2 poin dengan pemenang pertama dari New Zealand pada kejuaraan Asia Barista Championship 2012 di pameran Food & Hoteal Asia, Singapura 17-20 April kemarin. Tugas “negara” membuat saya tidak bisa menghadiri acara penting ini, tapi beruntung berkesempatan bertemu dengan Doddy hari Selasa tadi di sebuah cafe kawasan Jakarta Selatan dan langsung ditodong untuk melakukan sesi foto khusus dan berbincang tentang pengalamannya kemarin di Singapura.

Tugas Doddy tidaklah mudah, membawa nama Indonesia dan berhadapan dengan empat belas peserta terbaik dari negara-negara Asia lainnya dan harus meyakinkan para juri akan kualitasnya sebagai seorang barista kaliber kawasan ini. Sebelum berangkat ke Singapura Doddy telah dibekali segenap ilmu yang diturunkan oleh orang-orang yang punya jam terbang tinggi di industri kopi Indonesia yang didukung oleh Asosiasi Kopi Spesial Indonesia.

Lalu apa resep utamanya untuk mengalahkan sindrom panggung akan penampilannya di panggung internasionalnya untuk pertama kali. Berkaca dari pengalamannya saat menjuarai Indonesia barista Championship tahun 2011, Doddy yang kelahiran Rantai Panjang, Aceh Timur, memilih untuk tak menonton para peserta lain saat pertandingan berlangsung, tapi justru jalan-jalan melihat pameran FHA. Paling tidak,  menurut Doddy, hal itu akan mengurangi beban pikiran saat dan sesudah ia tampil ke panggung nanti. Menurut Adi W. Taroepratjeka, salah satu mentornya, ketenangan Doddy saat tampil walaupun satu-satunya peserta yang tidak berbahasa Inggris sangat membantunya tampil prima selama pertandingan.

Menarik jawaban Doddy saat ditanya apa tipsnya untuk para barista Indonesia ? Bukan hanya menguasai teknis kebaristaan saja, tapi diperlukan pengetahuan yang luas akan kopi dari hulu hingga ke hilir. Ia juga melihat salah satu faktor kegagalan barista saat mengikuti IBC tahun kemarin adalah masalah grinder adjustment. Banyak yang kurang menguasai aspek penting ini yang mempengaruhi espresso yang dihasilkan.

Sang Datuk Doddy sudah membuka jalan bari barista Indonesia lain untuk mengikuti jejaknya dan negeri ini bisa berbangga punya seorang Barista kaliber Asia !

Doddy Samsura .  .  .

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