Effie Pagratis steams some milk for a latte at Celestrial Seasonings in the UMC, Jan. 29, 2010. (CU Independent file/Phil McMichael)
After three days of competition, the 2010 Mountain Regional Barista Competition reached its climax on Valentine’s Day as the top six barista finalists battled it out for the championship title.
A crowd of around 90 turned out for the final day of the event, which was hosted by Barista Pro Shop at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Loveland, Colo.
Tables with free coffee and syrup samples lined the room, while a display of two top-of-the-line Nuova Simonelli espresso machines sat front and center for the competitors to work their magic on.
According to Specialty Coffee Association of America’s Web site, “Each competitor serves each of the four sensory judges a single espresso, a single cappuccino and a signature beverage of his/her choice (espresso-based and alcohol-free), for a total of twelve drinks, during a period of fifteen minutes.”
Each barista was also able to choose their own, unique music to play in the background during their performance while they pulled espresso shots and created their specialty drinks for the judges.
Bryan Arndt, 22, of Java on Sherman, went with spunkier, upbeat tunes to complement his routine.
“I’ve been in the coffee business for two and a half years,” Arndt told the audience. “But I’ve only really been into coffee for about one year.”
Arndt kicked his routine off by pouring each judge a glass of water to cleanse their palette in between espresso drinks. Then, his hands moving in a constant fluid motion, Arndt placed the espresso basket underneath the grinder and meticulously measured out the amount of coffee grounds for his shots. Arndt tamped down the espresso and smoothly twisted the basket back onto the machine. With ease, he pulled four shots simultaneously and displayed them in front of the seven judges.
“After you sip, the espresso will linger for just a little bit, and then a touch of dried fruit will kick in,” Arndt said.
The judges didn’t crack a smile as they sipped their espresso and scribbled notes down on their score sheets.
For his specialty drink, Arndt used peanut oil, dark chocolate, plum sauce and cayenne pepper, which he infused together and mixed with an espresso shot and steamed milk. As he wound down his routine, Arndt shared his favorite thing about being in the coffee business.
“You can’t get bored with it,” Arndt said. “It’s always changing. With coffee, you are always learning.”
With six seconds left on the clock, Arndt called time.
Yiching Piquet of Caffe D’bolla, and one of six finalists, described her espresso as having notes of sweet woods, savory spices and bright peach highlights of creamy mango. Her signature drink was a blend of Japanese Mache green tea, espresso, ground ginger, cane sugar and a bit of shaved orange rubbed on the rim of each espresso cup.
“I think putting the orange zest directly into the drink is too overwhelming, but rubbing it on the rim will give it the acidity it needs to pull out the peach notes in the espresso,” Piquet said.
Piquet also talked about the importance of sourcing ingredients for each coffee drink.
“Families pour their hearts into their [tea or coffee] crop, and our job as baristas is to really respect those products and utilize them well,” Piquet said.
With 10 seconds left on the clock, Piquet threw her hands in the air and yelled time.
Each of the six finalists performed similar routines: Serving an espresso shot, cappuccino and signature drink. Each description of the espressos and drinks was innovative and undeniably mouthwatering.
Between each routine the judges left the room to calibrate their scores while audience members were urged to go up to the front and try each barista’s drink.
The judges announced the winners of the weekend’s event.
Ian Marquez of Off the Leaf Coffee Bar took third, and Jessica Brooks of Allegro Coffee took second.
Greg Lefcourt, 30, of OZO Coffee Company in Boulder, took first place with his specialty drink of star anise, lime and caramelized maple sugar. This was Lefcourt’s second win at the regional barista competition.
“I’m in shock—like a little heart attack,” Lefcourt said. “There were great baristas this year and the level of scoring went up huge. I’m honored. I set big goals for myself and I’m doing it. ”
Along with a trophy, Lefcourt will now be competing at the United States Barista Competition in Anaheim, Calif. this April and could possibly have the chance to attend this year’s World Barista Competition held in London in June.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Brooke Segerberg at Brooke.segerberg@colorado.edu.
