Best in show The 2020 Melbourne International Coffee Expo will highlight the best and brightest the industry has to offer with its biggest Product Innovation Awards to date.
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magine the next big technological breakthrough in the coffee industry. Could it be a device that raises quality to new levels? Or will it embrace new technology like automation and telemetry? These are questions that the 2020 Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE) will ask during its Product Innovation Awards. MICE provides a platform for dedicated members of the coffee sector to congregate and share new ideas and technology. These annual awards bring these new developments to the forefront. “The Product Innovation Awards shine a spotlight on the great and creative work being done in coffee,” says MICE Show Director Lauren Winterbottom. “Past winners have included energy systems, water filters, and coffee destoners that truly had something new to offer the industry, and the awards drew attention to these innovations.” With nearly 200 brands set to be
on display at MICE2020, Lauren says the next Product Innovation Awards will be to most competitive and impressive yet. “There is going to be an increased international presence and many first-time exhibitors at MICE2020, so we’ve decided to broaden the scope of the Product Innovation Awards and can’t wait to see what ground-breaking products the industry has to offer,” Lauren says. In past years, a panel of industry leaders judged all of the finalists and determined a top three to be awarded in the Judge’s Choice category. In 2020, however, a single award will be given out in four categories: • C offee preparation equipment – espresso machines, brewers, roasters • A ncillary electrical equipment – such as grinders and milk steamers • C offee accessories – such as cups, tampers and cleaning products • S pecialty beverages – syrups, spirits, dairy and dairy alternatives, and other
The Milkit Dual Tap won People’s Choice in the 2019 Product Innovation Awards.
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items used in conjunction with coffee beans to create a specialty beverage. Attendees at MICE2020 will also be able to vote in the People’s Choice category for the finalist they find most innovative. The 2019 People’s Choice went to United Supplies for the Milkit Dual Tap System. The unit is capable of dispensing two types of milk in measured doses at once, improving productivity, consistency, and hygiene, while minimising waste. United Supplies Marketing Director Nicole Saleh says winning the award provided the Milkit Dual Tap system with an exciting launch into the marketplace. “We entered the awards as we knew it would be a fantastic way to demonstrate the benefits of the Milkit milk tap system to the specialty coffee industry and we were really honoured to win People’s Choice and be recognised by our peers,” Nicole says. “Milkit connected with the coffee community because it delivers a fast and cost-effective solution for cafés to achieve milk dose consistency, maintain milk integrity, and improve barista workflow. We had both the dual and single milk tap models on display at MICE, showcasing a variety of colours and running demos that allowed potential customers to experience firsthand the benefits of the system.” The 2019 Judge’s Choice winner was the Energy Bar system by BrewBar. The Energy Bar allows coffee machines and equipment with significant energy requirements to operate from a 240-volt 10-amp supply, or without a power supply for short periods of time. BrewBar Director Brett McKimmin says winning the award, and resulting coverage, generated significant interest in the product. “We’ve experienced a great wave of interest and, after making a few further upgrades to the system, are gearing up to start providing the Energy Bar to
