Just got back from a week-long trip to Minneapolis for the 2008 World Barista Championship. As many know, I make/sell/deliver/educate-others-about coffee for a living. This was my first USBC and I didn't know what to expect in terms of success or atmosphere going in. Luckily, I got to drive the 600 miles with my coffee-pal and occasional co-worker, Alex McCracken, who has been through such ordeals in the past.
We arrived in Minneapolis last Thursday morning and after briefly saying hello to a few coffee friends from regional competitions and barista jams, we set upon the terrible task of securing last minute dishware and coffee items (think porcelain cups, saucers, shot glasses, windex wipes, lint rollers, table linens, pants, tweezers, basil plants) we forgot.
Thursday quickly grew into Friday and Saturday with occasional bits of Summit beer in-between. Alex and I both went through the stresses and tensions of presenting 12 coffee drinks to seven picky drinkers in 15 minutes - fifteen minutes which turn into days of polishing, practicing, memorizing, and bad-dreaming.
Nevertheless, Alex and I both had success and advanced to the second round of competion. I was thrilled to do so well in my first year of competing, though jostled by the additional round of dishes, worrying, and bad-dreaming that entailed.
The competition was great, but what was better was the community of baristas that get so excited about such events. For the first year, the USBC was streamed live on the interweb, and the commentary coming in from all over the world was great. Immediate feedback and validations for such silly coffee service. I'd like to thank Jon Lewis for his dedication to the coffee community and all he inspires within us budding baristas. If you like coffee, and you like life, read his blog. If it wasn't for Jon, and people like him, I don't think I'd still be able to justify brewing coffee while growing up. Let it flow.
Check out my semi-finals presentation.
And Alex's.
5.08.2008
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