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Pulling Shots and Serving Others

Posted by Coffee Kids on May 8, 2010 at 5:13am
Baristas around the world team up with Coffee Kids to support coffee-farming familiesBaristas from over 50 countries will compete for the honor of World Champion Barista at the 11th Annual World Barista Championship (WBC) in London, England, June 23-25. The event will also feature efforts to raise awareness and funds for Coffee Kids, an international nonprofit dedicated to helping coffee-farming families.nav_portafilter.gifThis year, the WBC will be held in conjunction with the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe Conference and Caffé Culture Show, Europe’s largest specialty coffee expo.Special Coffee Kids/WBC efforts and events include:
  • An online auction of coffee-related items that will begin in June. All funds raised will benefit Coffee Kids’ projects for coffee-farming families.
  • A Coffee Kids Reception will be held Thursday, June 24 at 6pm. The event will feature a quiz show with celebrity baristas, an open bar and a presentation from Coffee Kids Executive Director Carolyn Fairman.
  • A coffee map featuring 20-25 of London’s must-visit coffee destinations will be compiled and distributed. All participating shops will collect donations and raise awareness of Coffee Kids.
“The partnership with Coffee Kids allows baristas an opportunity to learn more about ways they can get involved in supporting coffee-growing communities around the world,” said Cindy Chang, executive director of the WBC.More information on all of the events to follow soon! For more information on the World Barista Championship, please visit their website.
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SCAA Names Emily Oak to World Barista Championship Board

Posted by Mike Ferguson on July 22, 2008 at 1:14pm
The Specialty Coffee Association of AmericaAppoints Emily Oak to World Barista Championship BoardLong Beach, CA. U.S.A. (July 22 2008) —The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) announces the appointment of Emily Oak as the newest member to represent the association's interest on the World Barista Championship (WBC) Board of Directors.Oak is Director of Training and Development for Australian Independent Roasters, an SCAA member and wholesale roaster located near Sydney, Australia. She is slated to serve a two-year term on the internationally-recognized barista competition's board.In addition to four representatives from the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE), with whom the SCAA jointly owns the WBC, Oak joins current SCAA representatives Cindy Chang, of Counter Culture Coffee, Nicholas Cho of murky coffee, and Andrew Hetzel of Cafemakers, LLC on the WBC Board of Directors, These volunteers are tasked with continuing the interest and growth of the WBC on a global scale while building a stronger educational and social platform for the worldwide barista community.Oak represented Australia as a competitor at the 2001 World Barista Championship in Miami. Since then she has served as a WBC judge, WBC regional coordinator for the Asia Pacific region, and chair of the WBC regional coordinator committee, in addition to other professional and volunteer accomplishments in the global specialty coffee industry."SCAA is pleased to select Emily to represent our association on the WBC Board of Directors," said SCAA Executive Director Ric Rhinehart. "We are confident she will provide SCAA with a strong presence within the internationally-recognized specialty coffee organization while also contributing to the WBC's continuing growth and success."“I’m very excited about representing the SCAA on the WBC board,” said Oak. “I have believed in the goals of the WBC since its inceptions and look forward to helping the organization continue to grow.”The stated goals of the WBC are:--To promote the growth, excellence and recognition in the barista profession.--To grow the barista's knowledge of and expertise in the preparation and serving of specialty, espresso coffee through competitions.--To promote the knowledge and consumption of specialty coffee to the consumer through the Barista.--To become globally recognized as the premier world barista event in the coffee calendar.About the SCAACelebrating 26 years of success, SCAA is the world's largest coffee trade association. SCAA members are located in more than 40 countries and represent every segment of the specialty coffee industry, from coffee growers to coffee roasters and retailers. The SCAA's mission is to be the recognized authority on specialty coffee, providing a common forum for the development and promotion of coffee excellence and sustainability. The SCAA's dedication to excellence in coffee is realized through the setting of quality standards for the industry; conducting research on coffee, equipment and perfection of craft; and providing education, training, resources and business services for members. The SCAA's annual conference is held in a different U.S. city each year and is the coffee industry's largest gathering and exhibition.About the WBCThe World Barista Championship was created initially by the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe. The first WBC took place in Monte Carlo in October 2000. The Specialty Coffee Association of America quickly joined and the WBC is now a joint venture among the two sister organizations. The WBC is a nonprofit corporation headquartered in the United Kingdom. Ownership is shared between the SCAE and SCAA. The organization's 2009 event will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, April 16-19, 2008, in conjunction with the Specialty Coffee Association of America Symposium and Exposition.
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Barista Exchange Opportunity in Puerto Rico

Posted by Matt Milletto on April 24, 2008 at 6:48am
Hello baristas! My friend and past ABC School graduate has a very successful coffee business in Puerto Rico. She is opening her second coffee bar and is looking for a barista to come and spend 3 days or so on site with her and her staff. Here is the email she sent to me in regards to the exchange. Feel free to email her for more info, could be a really fun experience. - Matt Here is a picture of Enid (far right) and her staff:

Hi Matt: This is Enid Guerra from Puerto Rico. I took the Barista training couple years ago. I hope you remember me. I have a tiny but beautiful EspressoBar. In May we will have two years in the business. One of the best decisions was to take the course with you in Portland. I fell in love with coffee and I am living the dream. We have the best coffee in Puerto Rico. (you will have to believe me unless you want to stop by...). I am opening my second store soon. I know José Arreola since I am a National Judge for the WBC for the second year in a row. He is by far the most charismatic person I have ever met. The first WBC Judge Training was conducted in my Bar. One of my Baristas was third in the National Competition (this year). Another of my female Baristas was fourth. It was their first year competing so I was happy with the results. I am also highly involved with the Puerto Rico Barista Association. The reason I am writing is to know if you know a Barista that would like to spend three days in Puerto Rico. We are looking for someone that would like to come and spend part of the day in the bar with my Baristas so they could experience people with their same passion and dedication. There are not too many Baristas in Puerto Rico and honestly my Baristas sometimes feel they are alone. You know, I am the boss, it is not the same. In terms of payment we can agree in some type of payment. I am honestly looking at this as an exchange instead of a job. We can provide transportation and we can pay a nice Hotel. Also we will pay for all the meals and can agree in extra cash for personal expenses. We can also visit some of the best coffee "haciendas" in the island. Please let me know if you know someone that could be interested. Best regards, Enid 787-349-4561 email: baristaespressobar at onelinkpr.net
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James Hoffmann East Coast Tour - March 2-15

Posted by Mark Overbay on February 27, 2008 at 7:30am

Counter Culture Coffee cordially invites the barista exchange community to join reigning United Kingdom and World Barista Champion James Hoffmann for his 2008 U.S. East Coast Tour, March 2-15!The 8-stop tour will include coffee presentations, skill demonstrations, barista workshops, and more at Counter Culture regional training centers and other locations listed below. Hope to see many of you at the events!www.counterculturecoffee.com/jameshoffmannRegional event details:March 2Ninth Street Espresso - Chelsea MarketNew York, NY3:00 p.m.Live Barista Performance and MixerNinth Street EspressoChelsea MarketMarch 4Hyde Park, NY (Culinary Institute of America)10 - 11:30 a.m.Signature Drink PresentationDanny Kaye Theater2 - 3:30 p.m.Signature Drink PresentationDanny Kaye TheaterMarch 6Mid-Atlantic/Northeast Barista Jam10am - 12pmEspresso Extraction PresentationMarch 7Washington, DC10-11:30amCoffee Cupping7 - 9:30pmFood Pairing PresentationDC Regional Training Center1836 Columbia Road NWSuite 202Washington, DC 20009March 9Durham, NC2 - 5pmThree-Part Presentation:1) James' personal history in coffee2) Single origin espresso tasting3) Preparing for barista competitionsDurham HQ and Regional Training Center4911 South Alston AvenueDurham, NC 27713March 11Asheville, NC7 - 9pmBarista Comp. & Classic Drinks PresentationAsheville Regional Training Center77 Broadway StreetAsheville, NC 28801March 12Charlotte, NC7 - 9pmBarista Competition & Signature Drink PresentationCharlotte Regional Training Center1435 West Morehead StreetCharlotte, NC 28208March 14Atlanta, GA10 - 11:30 amCoffee CuppingAtlanta Regional Training CenterKing Plow Arts Center887 West Marietta Street NWSuite m210Atlanta, GA 303181 - 3:30 pmBarista Competition PresentationAtlanta Regional Training Center8pmParty at Octane!March 15Atlanta, GA2 - 5pmThree-Part Presentation:1) James' personal history in coffee2) Single origin espresso tasting3) Preparing for barista competitionsAtlanta Regional Training Center

James Hoffmann Biography:James Hoffmann started working as a barista back in 2003. He started working for the espresso machine manufacturer Gaggia, and quickly progressed into a training role. From there in 2005 he moved to another espresso machine company - La Spaziale to work as their national training manager. He also began competing in barista competitions that year and in 2006 won the UK Barista Championship and placed 5th in the World Barista Championship in Berne. He competed again in 2007, winning the UK again and this time went on to win in Tokyo, Japan and became the World Barista Champion. In May 2007 James left La Spaziale with the aim of starting a roastery and cafe in London. He continues to train and consult, as well as write for a variety of different publications and has an interest in food science, having worked with the chefs at the world famous Fat Duck restaurant when working on signature coffee drinks for competition.
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