University of Glasgow medical student Gill Campbell swapped her stethoscope for cappuccinos– and then showed the professionals who’s boss.

The second year medic won the title of Scottish Barista of the Year, fending off challenges from full-time coffee makers from across the country.

And the 20-year-old put her success down to her medical training.

Gill said: “I’ve done work placements in A&E departments and on general wards, so when the pressure of the final was getting to the others, I managed to stay calm. Focus is very important as a medical student and I simply applied that to my coffee making. Gillian Campbell - coffee medic

Gill works part-time in Tinderbox in Glasgow’s West End, just yards from the University’s Wolfson Medical School. She was put forward by the outlet’s manager because of her skill and speed at making coffee.

And she triumphed at the contest, held in recently Edinburgh.

She said: “I was pretty surprised to win as the other competitors do this for a living. But the judges praised by lack of nerves under pressure and said I had kept calm right up to the last second of the competition

“I was a bit nervous before the finals, but I soon got into the swing of things. 

“We had a 15 minute time limit within which to make four espressos, four cappuccinos and four signature drinks, while a panel of judges look on.

“As the time ran out, other competitors began making mistakes but I simply focussed and kept it together.”

Gill, from Uddingston in Lanarkshire, now travels to London later this month to compete in the UK finals – a new challenge she is ready for.

The trainee doctor said: “I’m going to treat in this the same way I as I approached the Scottish finals – I’ll just apply a bit of my medical training and do my best.”

Her achievements have also caught the eye of the University of Glasgow Medical Faculty too.

Professor Jillian Morrison, head of the undergraduate Medical School, said: "This is a fantastic achievement for Gill and we are all very proud of her. It is great to hear that her medical training stood her in good stead for the finals.

“In medicine, keeping a cool head is vitally important and we teach our undergraduates the importance of staying calm under pressure. The skills that she is learning as part of her degree course can be used across a range of disciplines.

"We wish her all the best for the UK finals and we are sure she will do the University proud.”


First published: 11 February 2008

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