Brewing brilliance

By
Editor | Jennifer Campbell
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Recognising the vital role coffee shops play in our communities, the Battle of the Beans competition set out to crown the very best across KwaZulu-Natal – and some of our very own local gems shone bright!

Graeme Myhill of Selati Sugar and Darren Lewis, owner of Skyline Coffee.

Organised by Coffee Colab, a non-profit organisation committed to elevating café culture, Battle of the Beans aimed to spotlight the independent coffee shops that not only survived but thrived despite the challenges of recent years. The competition involved over eight months of rigorous judging by a panel of 30 incognito experts, all in search of exceptional coffee.

In KZN, coffee shops are the cornerstone of the hospitality industry, offering spaces where you can linger over a freshly brewed espresso or a creamy cappuccino.

Ingrid Shevlin, founder of Shrewd Food and a respected food critic, oversaw the competition to ensure it maintained the highest standards. Judges evaluated each café on the quality of their cappuccinos and espressos, as well as the overall coffee experience.
“In KZN, coffee shops are the cornerstone of the hospitality industry, offering spaces where you can linger over a freshly brewed espresso or a creamy cappuccino while chatting with friends. When thinking about our coffee shops, we realised the importance of affordable community spaces,” Ingrid explains. “While many restaurants did not survive Covid, most coffee shops did! They kept the industry and the spirit of cafe society alive and provided places for people to meet, work and enjoy a bean brew. We felt it was important to recognise that and the role that these shops will play in the future.”

AND THE WINNERS ARE…
Owner of Coffee LAB, Sbu Nkolothi.

The highly anticipated Battle of the Beans Awards Ceremony took place at the Selati Sugar head office in Westville, where 27 standout coffee shops from across KZN were recognised. The coveted title of KwaZulu-Natal’s Best Coffee Shop was awarded to Coffee LAB in Ballito, owned by Sbu Nkolothi.

Originally from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Sbu’s coffee journey began as a golf caddy before he moved to Durban in 2010. After years of working in hospitality, his passion for coffee led him to train baristas and eventually open Coffee LAB in 2020. “Coffee brings people together. It connects them. When I make coffee, I’m able to engage and build relationships. I love people,” Sbu says.

Another local favourite, Skyline Coffee in Salt Rock, claimed second runner-up. Owner Darren Lewis, a former regional manager for Vida e, took over the café in 2023, drawn to its strong community spirit. “A great coffee shop is about serving consistently excellent coffee and food, knowing every regular’s order, and creating a welcoming environment. We have over 100 regulars who visit five to six times a week,” Darren says.

THE STARS OF THE NORTH COAST AND UMHLANGA
With over 250 coffee shops visited, the top cafés from the North Coast and Umhlanga made their mark:
North Coast top three
• Coffee LAB, Ballito (Overall Winner of Battle of
the Beans 2024)
• Skyline Coffee, Salt Rock (2nd Runner-Up in KZN)
• Foam Coffee, Umdloti
The team from Skyline Coffee, Salt Rock.

Umhlanga top three
• Tiki Tonga Coffee, Chartwell Drive
• African Roots Coffee, Lagoon Drive
• Moto Café, Meridian Drive

Melanie Winter from Coffee Magazine, who was part of the final judging panel, summed up the experience: “Specialty coffee may still be niche, but that’s perfectly fine! The overall standard was exceptionally high, from service and community spirit to beautifully poured coffees and unique flavours. I’m proud of the cafés in KZN!”
The Battle of the Beans 2024 not only crowned the best coffee shop in the province, but it also highlighted the incredible passion, resilience and community spirit of KZN’s coffee scene. Here’s to another year of outstanding coffee experiences right on our doorstep!
Details: IG: @battle.of.the.beans
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