Shanquell Clarke is the seventh Starbucks Bahamas Barista champion, third female winner, and third winner to come out of the Cable Cottage branch of the coffee chain.
Clarke, 20, went head-to-head with Rashad Bain from the Harbour Bay Starbucks in the final during which they showcased their skills in espresso shot pulling, milk steaming, latte art, and beverage innovation, demonstrating their coffee craft, knowledge, and expertise, and emerged with the sought after title.
She also claimed the double win in the head-to-head latte art competition.
With tears streaming down her face, her excited mother grabbing her in an all-encompassing hug, and kissing her and telling her how proud she was of her, Clarke said she was proud of herself and her accomplishment.
"I just was shocked," she said. "The world stopped for a second and then I immediately broke down."
Clarke will represent Starbucks Bahamas at the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Barista Championship, November 13-16 in Costa Rica where she will continue to showcase her coffee passion, creativity, and expertise with the hope of being crowned top barista in the region. She will compete against champions from 23 other markets in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The winner will be crowned at Starbucks coffee farm located on the slopes of Poás Volcano, Hacienda Alsacia.
Hosting the event at Hacienda Alsacia, Starbucks' global agronomy headquarters, will provide Clarke with the unique opportunity to experience first-hand the first 10 feet of the coffee journey, which will enrich her knowledge of the last 10 feet: right before the cup of coffee reaches the customer.
Tom Ferguson, president, Starbucks Latin America and Caribbean said baristas play a vital role in Starbucks success, and the LAC Barista Championship offers them a platform to showcase their talent and passion for coffee.
"Through the competition, and moments spent honing their craft and elevating beverage quality alongside fellow partners, our baristas reinforce Starbucks mission: with every cup, with every conversation, with every community - we nurture the limitless possibilities of human connection," said Ferguson.
If the barista with a little over two years of experience under her apron manages to pull out the win in Costa Rica, Clarke would garner another unique opportunity to move on to the Asian competition.
"I just hope I win in Costa Rica because I would love to be able to represent [Starbucks] Bahamas in Asia. We're such a small nation, but everybody knows good things come out of The Bahamas even though it's such a small place. The opportunity to win Latin America first of all is big, and then the opportunity to go to Asia ... that's endgame for me."
The newest barista champion who entered the competition for the first time said she practiced daily after winning at the district level and earning the right to compete in the final. She had to fight her way through two district rounds to get to the final.
"Every day, nonstop, I tried to go over my presentation because I wanted it to be big. I practiced and went over my information on coffee. I just wanted to make sure that I did what I had to do, even if I didn't win."
Her presentation got off to a rocky start. Clarke had planned to present two coffees during her tasting and pairing. Her thought process: "I thought I would be big and grand, but I was told that I could have lost points for it, so I had to alter my whole routine [at the last minute], but I'm proud of myself for making it this far, and proud I was able to do what I had to do."
Clarke is also the third winner to come out of Cable Cottage, behind Shanyhah Bowe (2022) who was the second female winner.
"I wanted to show that good things come out of Cable Cottage. Nyah won last year and before that Olando [Knowles] won, so Cable Cottage has a [reputation], and I wanted to make them proud.
Shawnell Clarke is in the history books as the first female winner.
The newest champion said Bowe inspired her to contest for the title.
"I told [Shanyhah] you went there and won, that means I can go there and win too."
And then there's the fact that the University of The Bahamas biochemistry major student, with the goal of practicing medicine in her future, is on summer break and had the time to put into it.
"School does not start until next month, so I have a lot of free time so I said let me apply myself and push myself to see if I can win this thing," she said.
One of the basic principles of Starbucks is that in addition to quality ingredients, an important component of a delicious coffee is the attention with which a good barista prepares and serves it. In addition to proper roasting and the harmony of quality components, drinking coffee is an experience. This is why the coffee chain created the title of coffee master and created its own corresponding course. It provides its baristas with the opportunity to share their experiences and compare their skills at the Barista Championship.
Fun tidbit about the newest Starbucks Bahamas barista champion – Clarke's favorite Starbucks beverage is a shaken iced white chocolate mocha espresso with oat milk and one pump of brown sugar syrup.
Other previous Starbucks Bahamas Barista champions include Steven Hanna, Joshua Knowles, and Tariq Cartwright.
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