June 1, 2006

Is your Barista the Best?

Every year, the Specialty Coffee Association of America runs a competition to see who the best Barista is in the US. The United States Barista Championship (USBC) is an event designed to encourage and recognize professional achievement in the art of espresso beverage preparation and service. Competitors prepare and service 12 coffee beverages - one espresso, one cappuccino, and one signature drink of their own creation, for four judges in a space of 15 minutes. The winner of the USBC goes on to represent the United States at the World Barista Championship. Not bad, eh? Well, this year, Matt Riddle from Intelligentsia Coffee of Chicago IL won the competition and went on to the World Barista Championships in Bern Switzerland.

Check out the Full USBC results to see if your barista is among the best.