The BSA Accreditation and Best Drink awards, which are open to BSA members and non-members in England, Scotland and Wales, aim to raise standards across the hot drinks industry.
There are two main components to the awards: the 1 to 5 Cup Accreditation programme and the National Best Drinks awards.
The 1 to 5 Cup Accreditation programme evaluates aspects of the business including environment, facilities and customer service and awards ‘cup’ points based on how they perform.
The National Best Drinks awards recognise venues which have delivered the most exceptional beverages in one of the following categories:
- Best Cappuccino
- Best Latte
- Best Flat White
- Best Espresso
- Best Hot Chocolate
- Best Tea
- Best Grind & Brew
Winners of all awards will receive certificates and 3 to 5 Cup accredited sites will receive BSA window stickers. The Best Drink winners will receive a wall plate and window sticker.
Raising standards
Gordon Howell, chairman of the BSA Awards assessors, said: "Our ethos is to raise standards – it’s not just an awards process.
“The Awards provide the beverage venue a good insight into how well they are performing. Entrants are not judged, they’re assessed by experienced and calibrated professionals working to standards through a critical questionnaire created by and for the BSA.
“Another important element of the awards is that the BSA will give feedback and constructive advice to all entrants.”
Three new awards
The BSA Awards 2014 will feature three new awards: a Raising Standards award, Newcomers award and Best Overall Experience award.
Howell said the Raising Standards award would recognise an entrant that had invested ‘time and effort’ into raising their own standards.
“They will have bought into the BSA accreditation process and will have delivered exceptional improvements in all areas,” he explained.
The Newcomers’ award is open to any venues that have recently entered the BSA assessment programme and displayed excellent service and high standards.
The Overall Experience award, meanwhile, will go to a business that has shown ‘exemplary’ standards in all areas of the accreditation programme.
“This is the ultimate Award for a venue which has excelled above and beyond the call of duty,” said Howell.