Ground Espresso Bars announce winning photograph
Ground Espresso Bars is delighted to reveal the winner of the recent Ground Espressions photography initiative. Northern Ireland’s largest independent coffee chain set out at the start of summer to capture the best Ground-related pictures and local Ballymena man, Connor McCullough has taken home the top prize for his entry.
Thanks to his candid picture, Connor has won a weekend in New York City, courtesy of Ground Espresso Bars. In addition to this, Connor will take home the ultimate coffee-lovers kit and will be featured in the chain’s forthcoming coffee table book along with the other shortlisted finalists.
Connor’s winning photo depicted how he spends his time in Ground Espresso Bars, a place he now calls the ‘coffee soundtrack’ of his life. A favourite hangout, Connor had his first date with his then girlfriend at Ground Espresso Bars Ballymena, the pair went on to be married and even popped into their local store for photos on their wedding day. Keeping their love for Ground Espresso Bars in the family, their baby daughter is now a regular of the store.
Connor McCullough, winner of the Ground Espressions competition said; “We are over the moon to have won this initiative. From first dates to first sips, Ground Espresso Bars is a huge part of my life and my family’s life. They are an exemplary business pioneering kindness, friendliness, and excellent speciality coffee in Northern Ireland’s local coffee scene. We’re extremely grateful for this opportunity to getaway to the USA!”
Connor’s picture will now take pride of place in the Ground Espresso Bars’ coffee table book in the good company of the other shortlisted photographs. The book will feature photos from the following finalists: Gemma Kerr, Hilary Hire, Pascal Diamond, Keavlynn Tully, Sarah Waugh, Edita Mikutenaite, Laura Elliott, Kathryn Jamison and Anne-Marie Wallace Dalzell.
The Ground Espresso Bars coffee table book is due to hit the company’s shelves and the online store just in time for Christmas. Net proceeds from sales of the book will go to the company’s next global philanthropic initiative which is due to begin in 2017 following the success of Ground Espresso Bars’ Honduras Project.
Ground Espresso Bars Director, Karen Gardiner said: “We were delighted to see that everyone from photography amateurs to serious snappers got involved in capturing their coffee moments in the Ground Espresso Bars community across Northern Ireland. We are looking forward to publishing these in our debut book this year to help raise funds for our next coffee charity program.”
The limited edition Ground Espresso Bars coffee table book is due for release in winter 2016 and will be available to purchase online and in-store. To keep-up-to-date with Ground Espresso Bars’ news follow them on Facebook (facebook.com/Groundespresso/) and Twitter (@groundespresso).
