CCBC: Day 1 Report

2011 Central Regional Barista Compeition and Coffee Expo

(just happened that Alex was on stage with his Sig drink: Red Eye- during my brief visit)

(Full list of finalist after the jump)

Results: CCBC (Prelims)

Rough notes from CCBC (Please excuse incorrect information)


10AM      Tyler from Te Aro Roasted (Brazilian Direct Trade)
                            signature drink: Siphon + caramel + espresso (in a long shot glass)
10:45AM Sameer from Fahrenheit (SO Kenyan Kandaru) Roasted for 14 minutes.
                First sip: Bright, 2nd sip: Citrus Sweetness.
                Sig Drink: extracts, Espro, Whipped cream, cherries
11:15AM Juilian from Jimmy's Coffee
                Sig Drink: Espresso Martini Orange zest chocolate cream reduction (cf Aussie candy called Jacker)
11:40AM Richardfrom Good Neighbour Cafe (BlackCat: Brazil and Panama)
                Sig Drink: Caramle Gelato, Jamican Ginger beer, and Matcha + espro
12:10PM : Richard
               Sig Drink/espro looked interesting ; Over ice and an icecream sandwich?
12:40PM    Matthew  - Independent      (Ethiopian )
1:00 PM: David from Wunderland (Rufino Iconti/Superbar)
1:30PM: Alex from LIT ( Ethiopian Farm)
              Sig Drink: Red Eye two different roasts)
2PM: Katrina
2:30PM: Thomas
3:15PM: Chris from Te Aro (Panama, and Sidamo - Elevens?)
              Sig Drink: Sparkling Iced Americano
3:35pm Robert from Dark Horse
4:10PM Thomas from Cafe Pamenar
4:30PM Brad Sig drink but definitely has some syringe action happening

I wasn't able to view the rest..... =(
5PM Onwards: Cynthia, Dale-Jay 
                        Geoff.. from Detour
                         Kate

This is definitely an incomplete list, will update tonight

LIVE: CCBC 2011

Looks like the Central Canadian Barista Championship and the kick off to the Regional competitions are underway to help to crown our national barista champ on Oct 3, 2011 - in Vancouver.

Located: St. Lawrence Market
Time: Today 9-5, tomorrow 9-5pm.

LIVE Streaming available through ustream

Get in on the action!
***shhhh: Barista Party at 8pm over at Merchants***

Hope to see some of you around this afternoon.

NY: Cafe Grumpy (Park Slope)

Cafe Grumpy
Address: 383 7th Avenue
Neighbourhood: Park Slope
Borough: Brooklyn
website, @cafegrumpy, 718-499-4409

 A visit over to Prospect Park, meant that I'd be able to see what's happening at the narrow location of Cafe Grumpy in Park Slope. Literally less than 10 minute walk from the lushish greenery, I was treated to a hand poured cup using a Kone Chemex Filter made by Coava Coffee. As I approached the exterior of the unassuming location, I spotted a couple sitting on the bench outside, enjoying their Iced Drinks. It's been quite the swelter in NYC with temperatures reaching 27+ degree range (80ishF), but the rain has also made the days not so enjoyable.

M^4: July 4th edition

Spotted: Manic Coffee
Beans: Black Cat
Comp: Brazil and Panama
Roasters: Intelligentsia
Located: Chi-town, Illinois

Happy USA day, (Independence/ non monarchy/ 4th of July - Fireworks)

Let's run down some articles that were making waves:

1) CCBC: July 5-6 at St. Lawrence Market
2) Brown Coffee Co. (NY state laws legalized Marriage between same-sexed partners)
The twitter comments comparing natural law versus human laws....
3) Guatemala COE being cupped for auctioning... (Via James Hoffman http://twitpic.com/5k2x32)
4) TED Global announces roasters for the July meeting in Scotland. Coffee Common is there; http://coffeecommon.com/roasters
Hasbean, St.Ali, Square Mile, Taf, Ecco, Gimmie, Koppi, Waterloo Tea.

Happy Espresso Adventures
For more information check out: http://www.espressoadventures.com

Featured Espresso: Diablo

Spotted: Fahrenheit Coffee
Address: 248 The Esplanade
Neighbourhood: The Esplanade
website, @FahrenheitTO

Leading up to the CCBC made we think of some compeitiors from last year. First person that popped into my head was Sameer. Had a pleasant ride to his shop, and was seriously hoping to get some Diablo action. To my luck; Diablo was in the hopper; score!

Beans: Diablo
          Brazil Farenda Delariasse, Columbia Huila Finca La Triuna
Also:  Kenya Kandara and Ethiopian Sidamo
Roasted: Te Aro
Located: Leslieville, Toronto, ON

Central Canadian Barista Championships (CCBC) + Coffee Expo

Attention local Coffee heads, geeks, and fans

Central Canadian Barista Competition & Coffee Expo 2011 is descending upon us in Toronto.

Tuesday July 5th and Wednesday July 6th we'll see 20 Barista compete for the coveted title of Regional Champ, along with one of 5 spots at the National Comps held in YVR (Vancouver) Oct 2-3rd.

What you'll need to know about the two-day event.

Location: 92 Front Street East

                 St. Lawrence Market - North building

TUESDAY July 5th - 9AM

Barista Competition (20) - 9-5/6PM (competition schedule to be posted Monday)

Latte Art preliminary round - 10-12 and 2-4pm

Cup Tasters preliminary rounds throughout the day

Barista Party at Merchants of Green Coffee - 8pm

WEDNESDAY July 6th - 9AM

Barista Competition - Finals - 11-3pm (top 6 competitors)

Latte Art Milk and Soy Final Rounds between 2 and 4

Cup Tasters Final Rounds between 2 and 4

Announcement of winners 3:30(ish)

Barista Competition:

Each competitor must prepare and serve 12 separate espresso beverages: 4 espressos, 4 cappuccinos, and 4 "signature" drinks of their own creation. Competitors have only fifteen minutes to prepare all twelve drinks and are judged by a distinguished panel of local food and coffee experts.  The judges will assess various elements of the competitors performance, including station cleanliness, taste, beverage presentation, technical skills and total impression.

Cup Tasters Championship:

A showcase of a coffee cupper’s ability to demonstrate their speed, skill and accuracy in distinguishing the taste differences in specialty coffees.

Each round consists of 3 competitors racing against each other and the clock (8 minutes)

8 triangle set (3 cups) are placed in front of 3 (head-to-head) competitors.
In each triangle, two cups are identical, one is different. 

Using skills of smell, taste, memory and concentration, the competitor will try to identify the odd cup out in the triangles, in the shortest time possible. After eight minutes, the round stops and the competitor discovers how many correct done by lifting their selections to reveal whether or not it has a mark on the bottom of the cup.

12 competitors compete in 4 heats (3 competitor s per heat)
Top 3 competitors advance to the final round on Wednesday. 

Competitor with the most correct selection in the least amount of time wins.

More information:

Coffees SponsorAll Coffee Roasters, We would love to get your support for the event.  This is a great event to feature your coffee and your company.   The sponsorship cost is $150 plus two coffees for the competition, 8lb of each coffee.   Please also provide the information and tasting note for your coffee submitted. For sponsorship please contact  steve@socialcoffeecompany.com or  416-848-0718 x91 with your name, phone number, and company

If you wish to volunteer e-mail: ccbctoronto@gmail.com

Hope to see you at the Expo