Article by Katrina Trap courtesy of Business News.
Darkstar Coffee Roasters has taken the top spot at an inaugural barista event hosted by Gina Rinehart backed Bannister Downs Dairy.
The Northcliffe-based dairy brand, which is 50 per cent owned by the mining mogul’s Hancock Agriculture, hosted the Bannister Downs Latte Art Championships at Cottesloe’s Ocean Beach Hotel on Saturday.
Family-owned specialty coffee roasters Darkstar Coffee’s Andy Tseng took the spot as 2023 champion.
Bannister Dairy managing director Sue Daubney, 2010 40Under40 First Amongst Equals Winner, said the event championed community in the food service industry, which has been significantly impacted by staff shortages since the pandemic.
The event was also a fundraiser for volunteer mental health awareness initiative Black Dog Ride.
“It was so great to receive offers to help from many of WA’s outstanding coffee roasters and for their guidance and supply of equipment for the event,” Ms Daubney said.
“The sense of ‘community’ amongst WA’s food service industry is alive and well as we all saw firsthand tonight.”
Australian Olympic Gold Medallist Kyle Chalmers appeared as guest judge.
The dairy farm was founded in 1924 by the Daubney family before the Bannister Downs Dairy brand was established in 2005.
The family-owned business entered joint ownership with Gina Rinehart in 2014.
Bannister Downs Dairy products are currently only available throughout WA, but Ms Daubney said the business plans to expand into eastern states markets in coming months.
