James Odendaal and Chris Fourie—higher often called Workforce Spro Bro’s—replicate on their victory on the espresso competitors.
BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT
Images courtesy of The Barista League
The 2025 version of The Barista League continues its world journey, with six regional occasions showcasing the world’s prime rising expertise. In Africa, the competitors landed in Johannesburg, South Africa, bringing all of the hallmarks of The Barista League: unpredictability, excessive power, and moments that made each viewers and judges sit up and take discover.
Representing the colourful café scene of South Africa, James Odendaal and Chris Fourie of Workforce Spro Bro’s mixed precision, persona, and fervour to assert the win. Their strategy was about connection, authenticity, and letting their particular person strengths shine in good concord.
Vasileia Fanarioti: Congrats in your win! How did you put together for The Barista League competitors in Jo’burg? Did you’ve a method getting in?
James: Thanks! I don’t suppose we had a laid-out technique within the conventional competitors sense. With The Barista League’s format being so unpredictable, we knew we needed to lean into our particular person strengths and belief one another. Our preparation was much less about planning and extra about adaptability, instinct.
The Barista League has a singular format—what was your favourite spherical or problem, and why?
James: Positively the Drinks Spherical. It showcases the time baristas spend behind the bar perfecting, not simply drinks, however the artwork of connection. The format allowed us to lean into what we do greatest and current drinks that felt each private and scrumptious.
How did you goal to face out from the opposite groups, whether or not in strategy, model, or power?
James: We didn’t essentially deal with standing out. We wished the whole lot we did to be easy, intentional, and human. Whether or not interacting with judges or designing our mocktail, we targeted on readability, honesty, and connection, not spectacle.
What makes The Barista League completely different from different competitions? And what did you like most about it?
James: There’s no gatekeeping, no intimidating format, and no sense that you simply want a sponsor or a lab coat to take part. It celebrates creativity and chaos in one of the simplest ways attainable. What I beloved most was that it seems like a celebration the place espresso occurs to be the gravitational heart and never a take a look at the place pleasure turns into collateral harm.
How did the workforce dynamic work between the 2 of you? Any humorous or memorable moments from backstage?
James: Chris has such a vibrant persona, and it completely shone within the mocktail spherical. His culinary background turned apparent when he arrived on prep day with twelve completely different syrups like he was auditioning for “Grasp Chef.” His power gave me the area to deal with dialing the espresso in and having fun with the method.
Let’s rewind: What obtained every of you began in espresso, and what’s saved you hooked?
James: For me, espresso began as curiosity and changed into a calling. I started serving to out at Tradition Espresso (on the) weekends and rapidly fell in love with the humanity behind each cup—the producers, the science, the group conversations. Espresso isn’t only a beverage, it’s a worth chain backed by intentionality.
Chris: Espresso began for me actually “rising” up in espresso retailers and cafés. Going to completely different (cafés) with my mother once I was youthful stoked a love for café tradition. I obtained into barista work again in 2012 and have been transferring across the hospitality trade in a number of roles ever since.
Who or what evokes you most within the espresso trade proper now?
James: Stevo Kühn has been one in every of my greatest mentors right here in South Africa—he continually pushes me to remain curious and pursue development. Jack Simpson is one other enormous inspiration; I had the privilege of assembly him and watching him win the 2025 World Barista Championship in Milan. And lastly, my dad. I’ve the distinction of constructing Tradition Espresso alongside him. He retains me aligned with God in the whole lot I do, and I’m extremely grateful for that grounding.
Chris: The folks round me and in our espresso group who continually try to innovate and serve the most effective merchandise attainable.
The group in Johannesburg was electrical! How did the vibe of the occasion affect your expertise on stage?
James: It felt like performing inside a sound wave. The power wasn’t background noise, it was gasoline. Each cheer sharpened our focus. Having so lots of our café regulars present as much as assist us was the cherry on prime.
Now that you simply’ve taken house the win, what’s subsequent for you? Any huge targets, initiatives, or espresso desires on the horizon?
James: My greatest dream is to succeed in the finals on the World Barista Championship. Successful The Barista League didn’t create that dream, it solidified it. I’m pushing myself to develop, compete, and pursue that objective with much more vigor and drive.
Chris: [smiles] Who is aware of. Have enjoyable and stay a life that brings happiness.
For those who needed to describe your Barista League expertise in three phrases, what would they be?
James: Chaotic. Joyful. Unforgettable.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior on-line correspondent for Barista Journal and a contract copywriter and editor with a main deal with the espresso area of interest. She has additionally been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, offering content material to assist educate folks about baristas and their work.
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