P.E.I. teen emerges victorious in Tim Cup Challenge finals in Las Vegas
BORDEN-CARLETON, P.E.I. — Ask Quianna Harvey what her favorite drink to make behind the Tim Hortons counter is, she’ll reply with “a double-double.”
Not simply because two cream and two sugar is the commonest espresso order, per a 2020 Tim Hortons press launch, however as a result of she credit the drink for her victory within the 2022 Tim Cup Problem, a espresso pouring competitors for Tim Hortons workers held each two years.
“It was undoubtedly a life-changing expertise, one thing I’ll always remember,” mentioned Harvey, 18, who has labored on the Tim Hortons in Borden-Carleton for 4 years.
The problem started in September 2021 along with her making a single double-double whereas her supervisor filmed it.
A yr later, it ended along with her heart stage in Las Vegas, being cheered on by a crowd, and strolling away with a $10,000 cheque in her title.
“I truly purchased a brand new automobile not too way back, so it’s going to go towards my automobile, my schooling,” she mentioned. “Then no matter else I want, I assume. It’s simply good to have.”
District Supervisor Amanda Delight, who inspired Harvey to enter the problem, sees Harvey as a decided employee who does every process with pleasure and keenness.
“I knew that this was going to be expertise for her,” mentioned Delight. “Plus, she is an especially good employee and really quick.”
Harvey just isn’t the primary Island worker Delight has put ahead for the problem, however earlier than her, no Islander had reached the ultimate spherical of the competitors.
Nonetheless, Delight was assured that Harvey had what it took to not solely qualify for Las Vegas however had the abilities and dedication essential to take dwelling the prize.
“After we came upon that she had certified only for the Atlantic Area, I knew proper then that she was going to go 100 per cent of the best way,” mentioned Delight.
The primary spherical of the problem was held in September 2021.
Then, any employee might ship a video demonstration of constructing a single excellent darkish roast double-double.
Harvey despatched her entry alongside, not giving it a second thought.
“On the very starting, I’m like, I’m from P.E.I., like, no probability in any respect,” she mentioned.
The spherical would chop down the highest three entries from P.E.I., Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec.
Just a few weeks later, she acquired a name from Delight, letting her know she superior to the second spherical.
Like the primary, her second entry could be a video submission. This time, she would compete towards two different workers from the Maritimes and Quebec.
Every worker would make the identical three coffees they might be anticipated to make within the third and last spherical towards the victors within the different seven areas.
Two weeks later, at her retailer’s Christmas get together, it was introduced that she could be the one transferring on to characterize the Maritimes in Las Vegas.
“Everybody was cheering,” she mentioned. “I cried.”
Pouring her option to victory
Nearly a yr later, in early September, Harvey was on an airplane for the primary time, heading to a metropolis she had by no means been to earlier than.
“That they had a limo decide me up, with a woman that held an indication that mentioned ‘Harvey’ on it, ready for me,” she mentioned. “That was actually cool.”
Earlier than stepping on the stage to showcase her expertise to the judges and crowd, she had a while to benefit from the metropolis, strolling the Las Vegas Strip and consuming at certainly one of Chef Gordan Ramsay’s eating places.
When the ultimate spherical started, the eight rivals went on the stage one-by-one, stopping the others from watching and copying strategies and methods.
Her process, standing in the course of the resort convention room, was to make three excellent coffees as shortly as she might: one double-double, one with cream and sugar and one black.
Any errors would have resulted in additional time added, decreasing her rating.
“The gang was wonderful, it was unbelievable,” mentioned Harvey. “Everybody was screaming and cheering.”
She returned to P.E.I. shortly after, flying dwelling simply earlier than the award ceremony.
Information of her victory got here the day after the competitors, on a video name, with lots of her family and friends current to cheer the second she emerged triumphant.
“It was undoubtedly a type of core reminiscence moments,” mentioned Harvey. “I can nonetheless keep in mind how I felt. Your complete abdomen simply explodes with happiness. It’s one other a type of tear moments.”
After proving to herself what she was able to, there is no such thing as a doubt in Harvey’s thoughts that she is going to put her title ahead once more sooner or later. If another Tim Hortons employee is toying with the concept of giving the problem a strive themselves, she encourages them to go for it.
“You by no means know till you strive,” she mentioned. “Belief me, I didn’t suppose I used to be going to go that far.”
Kristin Gardiner is a reporter with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island. She may be reached by electronic mail at [email protected] and adopted on Twitter @KristinGardiner.
