Hanmi Group has announced its sponsorship of the 8th National Barista Competition for the Hearing Impaired. The company will support the introduction of a new creative menu category, aiming to enhance the professional skills and social opportunities for hearing-impaired baristas.
The competition, organized by the Cheong-eum Welfare Center, is designed to discover the professional capabilities of hearing-impaired baristas and expand their employment and social participation opportunities.
Any hearing-impaired individual capable of making coffee can participate in the competition. Applications are open until July 31, and participants can submit their applications via a QR code on the competition poster. The preliminary round will take place on September 19 at the Cheong-eum Welfare Center, with the finals scheduled for October 24 at the Ilwon Eco Park Center.
The competition will feature a main category evaluating latte art skills and a new creative menu category utilizing 'Unsweetened Soy Milk.' This year, the introduction of the creative menu category reflects the growing demand for unsweetened plant-based beverages. Participants will showcase their menus using Hanmi Science's 'Unsweetened Soy Milk from Domestic Beans.' Outstanding participants will receive the 'Unsweetened Soy Milk Creativity Award.'
Hanmi Group explained that through this sponsorship, it aims to support hearing-impaired baristas in developing not only coffee-making skills but also menu planning and development capabilities.
Additionally, Hanmi Group has been actively engaged in social contribution activities to create stable working environments for people with disabilities and to promote their social participation. At the company's in-house café, 'Equal Garden,' six baristas, including those with severe hearing impairments and developmental disabilities, are employed, with support from a rehabilitation counselor for job management and adaptation.
A Hanmi Group representative stated, 'The barista profession is evolving into a specialized field that requires high creativity and practical skills. We hope this sponsorship will help hearing-impaired baristas showcase their abilities and achieve independence as members of society.'
Moreover, Hanmi Group continues its long-standing public service campaign, the 'Love Blood Donation Campaign,' which has been ongoing for 46 years, demonstrating its commitment to sharing life.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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