RASV launches Australia’s first international coffee roasting competition.

The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) is launching Australia’s first international coffee roasting competition, in the lead up to the 2013 Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE) and World Barista Championships. Entries for the inaugural Australian International Coffee Awards (AICA) will open on 2 April, with judging conducted from 7 – 9 May at the Melbourne Showgrounds. Following the success of the Royal Melbourne Fine Food Awards’ coffee competition, the RASV has created a stand-alone event open to both local and international coffee roasters and held as part of MICE2013. “The RASV is pleased to invite local and international entries into the new AICA, building on the success of the coffee category of the Royal Melbourne Fine Food Awards,” says RASV CEO Mark O’Sullivan. “Melbourne is renowned for its world class coffee and the AICA will award excellence in roasted coffee from around the world and provide trophy and medal winners with unique marketing opportunities.” Entries to the AICA close on Wednesday 24 April and winners will be announced on Thursday 23 May. For more information or to enter the AICA visit www.rasv.com.au/coffee or follow the AICA on Twitter @AusCoffeeAwards.