The Global Tea Championship's 2019 Commercial Iced Tea Competition will take place Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 in Springfield, Illinois. Judges Anthony Capobianco, Mim Enck and Ravi Pillai will taste and evaluate dozens of commercial fresh brewed, bag in box, and ready-to-drink iced teas. Here is more information about their backgrounds.
Anthony Capobianco has more than 10 years of tea industry experience. In 2008, he founded Zen Tea Traders, a full-leaf artisan tea purveyor. He expanded his knowledge of tea cupping in Japan. He also consults with tea companies to assist them in improving their customer experience thereby increasing revenue, as well as consulting restaurants, hotels and other establishments with regard to enhancing their tea offerings. He has shared his tea knowledge on television shows, podcasts and in newspapers and magazines. Read more here.
Mim Enck grew up in the hospitality field since it was the family business. As an adult, she left the corporate world to travel, which led her to the South of France where she spent time with Julia Child and Simone Beck. They inspired her to cook with fresh ingredients, including tea. She is currently President of the East Indies Coffee and Tea Company and feels tea connects many people around the world while calming and lifting the spirit. Read more here.
Ravi Pillai has 35 years of tea industry experience, including 20 years managing Sri Lankan tea gardens, from planting to production and blend development. He marketed and sold teas in the Middle East, Europe, and East Asia and consulted for a leading Turkish conglomerate for which he developed tea standards. He was also on the Management Board of the Sri Lanka Spice Association for several years. He is currently on the Boards of Directors of the Tea & Herbal Association of Canada and the World Tea Conference + Expo. Read more here.