The wait is over. By the end of today it will be determined whether D’Andra Smith or Steven Hepburn will represent The Bahamas at the 2015 Starbucks Barista Championship in Seattle in September over the course of one week.

Both Smith and Hepburn — who are both partners at the Starbucks Palmdale store — rose to the top out of a fray of 15, say they are ready for the challenge which takes place today at the Starbucks, Harbour Bay with a 4 p.m. start.

“I practiced. I studied in coffee masters class and practiced my craft daily as I served on the bar, so I am very prepared and excited,” said Smith. “I’ve perfected everything and I’m ready to showcase my coffee passion and skills, and craft level on the bar and knowledge of coffee.”

Hepburn says his presentation is complete and that he’s simply getting in final rehearsals with public speaking in front of his family members to rid himself of nerves.

In the one month since the semi-finals Smith said she’s paid close attention to her learning material, did tons of research and reached out to friends locally and abroad to prepare herself for today’s final. Smith said she took advantage of every opportunity to speak with her mentors and peers. And she of course kept a keen eye on Hepburn who she describes as a “tough cookie”.

Smith and Hepburn will give presentations on the coffee of their choice, will engage in a coffee tasting with judges and display their knowledge on the different types of coffees, the growing process, and everything that goes into making a Starbucks coffee the perfect experience for patrons.

“Anybody can make a latte, but not everybody can make a latte the correct way,” said Smith. “So we’re showcasing our skills in steaming the milk properly, that the shots are correct, taste right, and that everything comes together to make the perfect Starbucks beverage.”

Smith will demonstrate her passion through speaking about falling in love with coffee, her Starbucks experience, and the impact it had on her life and on the lives of the people she comes in contact with daily.

If Smith emerges the winner from today’s battle and is the one tagged to go to Seattle she says she’s most looking forward to visiting the iconic Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room; and the first Starbucks store, which opened in 1912 in Pike Place Market. A possible meeting with Zev Seigl [Starbucks co-founder] she said would be the highlight of the trip for her.

For Hepburn, if he wins, he says he would look forward to the whole Seattle experience. “I don’t really know what to expect, because I don’t know too much about the others, but the experience of being around other coffee masters and gaining more knowledge about coffee is what I look forward to.”

Either Smith or Hepburn will take a one-week trip to Seattle to visit the Starbucks Support Center (headquarters) and iconic Starbucks locations such as the first store in Pike Place Market and the Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room.

During the Starbucks Championships, baristas compete in three categories — Barista Craft, Signature Beverage and Personal Coffee Tastings. Baristas showcase their latte art skills, create their own signature beverage using ingredients that currently exist in Starbucks stores, and provide a coffee tasting.

The idea behind the barista championships is to celebrate what baristas do daily and gives baristas the chance to demonstrate their passion and pride for coffee, and showcase their skills.

Starbucks Bahamas will be sending a Bahamian champion to the Starbucks Championships for the first time.