Ritual Coffee Roasters' Chris Baca Wins Specialty Coffee Association of America's Western Regional Barista Competition; Qualifies for 2008 United States Barista Championship
BERKELEY, Calif. U.S.A. (April 3, 2008) - San Francisco barista Chris Baca of Ritual Coffee Roasters dazzled event judges last Sunday on his way to winning the Specialty Coffee Association of America's (SCAA) Western Regional Barista Competition (WRBC) - hosted by Pacific Bay Coffee Co. and Micro-Roastery. The competition - held at held at the Gaia Arts Center - was christened Friday with a mayoral proclamation of "Specialty Coffee Day" in Berkeley, California.
In addition to earning recognition as the West's best barista (the Italian term for skilled and experienced espresso bar operators,) Baca receives an expenses-paid trip to compete in the nation's preeminent coffee competition - the 2008 United States Barista Championship (USBC,) occurring in Minneapolis, May 2-5.
Kyle Glanville of Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea in Los Angeles and 2007 USBC winner, Heather Perry, from Coffee Klatch in San Dimas, Calif. finished in second and third place, respectively. Perry has also won the previous four WRBC events.
Baca outperformed 33 of the most accomplished baristas from throughout California by preparing some of the finest specialty coffee drinks in the area. Every competitor was faced with the challenge of preparing and serving 12 coffee beverages including four espressos, four cappuccinos and four custom signature drinks in just 15 minutes. Seven SCAA-certified judges evaluated contestants on taste, beverage presentation, technical skills, total impression and station cleanliness.
Event judges were especially impressed with Baca's signature drink, a three-tiered liquid cherry-lime cheesecake concoction. "I came up with the concept at about 2 a.m. while sleeping on my friend's couch in San Francisco," said Baca. "The idea just floated into my mind and I worked out the details of the drink at our Ritual training facility."
The bottom layer of the drink included a strained and chilled cherry-lime reduction with a mixture of cream cheese, milk and a dusting of powdered sugar comprising the middle layer.
The beverage's top portion featured a cheesecake mix blended with a rich Fazenda Sao Joao coffee.
"We are pleased with the level of artisanship our Western Regional Barista Competition entrants demonstrated this weekend," said SCAA Executive Director Ric Rhinehart. "SCAA also congratulates Chris Baca in winning perhaps the most competitive regional barista competition during our 2007 and 2008 event calendar."
The WRBC is one of SCAA's 10 annual regional events, which culminate with the USBC. The events encourage and recognize excellence and achievement in the art and skill of serving and preparing espresso.
The SCAA is the world's largest coffee trade association in the world with members in more than 40 countries and event host, Pacific Bay Coffee Co. & Micro-Roastery is a preeminent Bay Area specialty coffee micro-roaster and retailer.
POSTED: Thursday, April 03, 2008