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    Regional Barista Competition Awards 2006

    By PDX Food Dude Last Update December 14, 2011 8 Comments

    The Specialty Coffee Association of America presented the 2006 Northwest Regional Barista Competition over the last three days at Wonder Ballroom in Portland. Incredibly well attended, at many times it was standing room only. The crowd was a who’s who of notable coffee geeks, with attendees from all over the world. Great coffee was provided for all those attending, as well as cupping up stairs. The judging went on for two days. From the NW Barista website, “Though competitors are allowed as much room for creativity as they desire in terms of signature drink ingredients, dialogue and background music during performance, and serving table adornment, they simply cannot win if their attention is not focused primarily on the quality of the espresso they prepare.

    But a winner must be a strong and engaging performer, as well. Thus, they are also evaluated on appropriate apparel (as if at work in a professional café environment), ability to speak knowledgeably about their coffee and signature drink, as well as what judges can expect from each drink (i.e. temperature, flavor profile, etc.); creativity, and general barista skills.” After two days of intense competition, the field of at least 50 baristas from all over the Northwest, were narrowed down to six finalists:

    1. Kevin Fuller- Albina Press (Portland)
    2. Jon Lewis- Bumper Crop Coffee (Washington)
    3. Kyle Larson-Stumptown Coffee Roasters (Portland)
    4. Billy Wilson- Albina Press (Portland)
    5. Maki Campbell- Zoka (Seattle)
    6. Lindsay Elliot- Zoka (Seattle)

    The final day, emceed by 2006 world champion Klaus Thomsen (Copenhagen), was tight, with every finalist putting on a great effort. Finally, the winners were announced: third place, Kevin Fuller, second place, John Lewis, and first place to Billy Wilson. This means Billy will travel to Long Beach, California, to compete in the USBC in May of 2007. PFD.com will have a representative there.

    Billy Wilson’s preparation of espresso caviar (noted in a previous post) had the both the judges and audience riveted. I’d love to get photos of the process to post here. Kevin Fuller scored with a complex blend of grapefruit and chocolate crème fraíche. Unfortunately, I missed seeing John Lewis in action, so did not see his signature drink. I’m sure someone will fill me in.

    Congratulations to all three of these guys. They have a passion for both the science and art of great coffee, and it shows. Thanks to the good folks at Stumptown Coffee and the American Barista & Coffee School, both sponsors for the event. They all should be proud of their contributions to the amazing Portland coffee scene. I know I’m proud of them. Now if I can just get rid of these jiTteRs!

    Related

    Category: Portland Food and Restaurant News and Discussion.

    Previous Post: « Molecular Gastronomy Meets Coffee… with Billy Wilson
    Next Post: Troy MacLarty to Lovely Hula Hands, Morgan Brownlow Leaving clarklewis »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michael Van Kleeck says

      October 23, 2006 at 3:42 pm

      I posted some pictures from the NWRBC at this site here.

      Reply
    2. iwantbilly says

      October 23, 2006 at 5:26 pm

      Billy is the hottie-est barista in town. He’s #1 in my book!!!!!! i could watch him all day….ahhhhhh….Billy…..

      Reply
    3. Joe Dixon says

      October 24, 2006 at 9:31 pm

      Billy is the hottie-est barista in town. He’s #1 in my book!!!!!! i could watch him all day….ahhhhhh….Billy…..

      Oh, Kevin, knock it off.

      Reply
    4. Food Dude says

      October 24, 2006 at 9:56 pm

      That wasn’t Kevin, the ip traces back to Billy’s dog.

      Reply
    5. iwantbilly says

      October 25, 2006 at 9:10 am

      Billy’s dog and every female in portland!!! You shoulda seen the crowd at Albina Press the Saturday after his glamorous Willy Week cover — heavily skewed female. It was like being front row at a Sting show. Are baristas are the new rock stars??

      Reply
    6. Mikey Golightly says

      October 25, 2006 at 11:26 am

      My girl rides her espresso machine
      like a Harley hawg,
      ooo ooo ooo I see her tattoed neck
      and bobbed hair
      as she pounds on the coffee grinder
      uhh uhh uhh it groans,
      tamps down the shot,
      and cranks the steam handle hard,
      her body jammed against the machine,
      she screws the portafilter in,
      a tight fit,
      a perfect espresso soul
      she grunts out the seconds,
      1, 2, 3, 20 the magic number
      when it’s just right, the
      nectar trickles down,
      every drop into the cup,
      every succulent bit,
      she throws everything into that shot,
      cuts a heart into the milk foam
      wipes her hands on the coffee-stained towel,
      and she’s ready for another ride.

      Reply
    7. iwantbilly says

      October 25, 2006 at 2:24 pm

      Mikey,
      I’m… (pant, pant).. breathless after that — wait, let me wipe the sweat from my brow — sexy poetry. i need a cupa joe after that. Or a cigarette. Right on!

      Reply
    8. bz says

      October 25, 2006 at 9:49 pm

      billy video here:
      http://ben.szobody.com/blog/index.php?title=nwrbc_your_cat_like_caviar_serving_baris&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

      Reply

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