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Teresa von Fuchs, a coffee and espresso consultant for iconic New York roaster Dallis
Bros. Coffee, will percolate a specialty caffeinated cocktail during the second annual
Coffee Cocktail Mash Up, which will take place on Sunday, June 24 at 5 p.m. at
Weather Up in Tribeca.

Teresa makes no beans about participating in specialty coffee competitions and
educational events. She was a judge for the U.S. Barista Competition, trained competitors for the Northeast Regional Barista Competition and competed in the Brewers Cup.

During the Coffee Cocktail Mash Up, Teresa will partner with Meaghan Doorman of
Raines Law Room, as the twosome will grind against four other teams, consisting of one
barista and one bartender, in this throw-down style competition. Teams will pour their
concoctions before a panel of judges, who will evaluate each novelty beverage for flavor, balance, concept, and presentation. The judges are: Robert Simonson of The New York Times; Mari Uyehara of Time Out NY; Kara Newman of Wine Enthusiast; Shawn Kelly of Pernod Richard; and Mike White of ShotZombies.com.

With an entry fee of $20, attendees will not only witness the competition, but also
enjoy single origin espressos from Dallis Bros. Coffee’s espresso bar, which will be
offered before and after the competition takes place. Attendees will also get to sip a
complimentary coffee cocktail and can order standard drinks and bar bites from Weather Up’s bar. Order tickets through http://coffeecocktailmashup.eventbrite.com.

A fundraiser, the Coffee Cocktail Mash Up will benefit the panel members of “Coffee:
The Missing Ingredient,” a new seminar on coffee cocktails. Proceeds will help to cover
travel costs for these members to attend this seminar at Tales of the Cocktail in New
Orleans this July.

Teresa von Fuchs is available for interviews and can share exciting coffee recipes. Press
interested in conducting a one-on-one interview in person or by phone should contact
Michael Gartenlaub at (212) 696-9883 or mgartenlaub@benvenutipr.com.

Press Contact:
Maria Benvenuti &
Michael Gartenlaub
Benvenuti Public Relations
212-696-9883
benvenutipr@benvenutipr.com

There’s nothing trendier than having a bit of knowledge about food. From Instagram posts to elaborate dinner parties, it seems like everyone is taking food a bit more seriously. If you find yourself faking your way through most food-related conversations, it’s time to step up your taste game. Below are a few different tactics you can try to make yourself a better-rounded foodie.

Get Help

Guided tours are a great way to experience certain tastes as they are meant to be consumed. Some of the most common guided food tours tend to be wine-tastings and distillery tours, and these tours tend to be a model you’ll want follow for other types of guided food experience. Go somewhere where an expert can explain a bit more about what you should be tasting, how the taste of the item in question can be changed, and what makes the difference between it being prepared in different ways. Guided tours may also allow you to sample high-end liquors or foods that you don’t want to purchase blindly.

Try Something New

Another great way to really put your taste buds to work is to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. If you’re afraid of a certain food, it may have less to do with the food itself than how it was prepared. Pick an item that you’d like to try and go somewhere that specializes in that type of food. Treating yourself to a quick food adventure is both a way to learn more about the various tastes out there and to reward yourself for trying something new.

Pay Attention

Finally, take a moment to stop and pay attention to what you’re currently eating. If you like the taste of something, try to learn what goes into that food. You might immediately point to something broad like the particular food being sweet, sour, or spicy, but try to figure out exactly what makes those tastes occur. It might be a particular spice, cooking method, or even ingredient that makes all the difference. Once you can start paying attention to the things that you like and identifying them, you can take that knowledge and start applying it to other foods.

The best way to develop your taste buds is to study, taste, and be open to new experiences. Learn from those who know more than you, try food as it is meant to be cooked, and pay attention to what goes into your body. With a little knowledge and awareness, you’ll find that eating is a totally different experience.

Attended my first cupping at New Harvest. This technique is vital when it comes to being able to pick up the nuances between growing areas. I plan to attend a cupping weekly and will post my notes as I become more engaged.

I'll be working (alot) at Cafe Du Monde during Mardi Gras (starts this Sat, the 19th) but if you don't see my updates, it means things got a little too hectic :)

Happy Mardi Gras!