Greetings from the Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition at Navy Pier - Day 2!
Posted by Betsy Summers on Mon, Feb 23, 2009
Day 2 of the GLRBC proved to be an intense day of competition. We saw some great presentations are excited to share a little of what we learned about today's competitors.
Jaime Gunnell, Boston Stoker Inc., Vandalia, OH
Jaime is a first time competitor. Her signature drink consisted of pistachio, sugar and water.
Ryan Knapp, MadCap Coffee, Grand Rapids, MI
Ryan is a previous competitor. His signature drink was called a "Ginger Caramel Infusion."
Scott Lucey, Alterra Coffee, Milwaukee, WI
Scott is a previous competitor. He described his espresso as citric and aromatic. His signature drink was called "Liquid Swords" with sweet cream and Texas red grapefruit juice. He has traveled to El Salvador and toured coffee plantations.
Jamie Westcott, Stone Creek Coffee, Milwaukee, IL
Jamie is a first time competitor, but has been a barista for four years. Her specialty drink was called "Breakfast in Bed". It was made of raw sugar, fresh vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon mixed with an egg and milk. Then she poured the drink into a latte fashion. Jamie said that she has a "great time and that every barista should come and watch one o these events". She also stated that she has "learned a lot from the other competitors".
Michael Phillips, Intelligentsia Coffee, Chicago, IL
Michael is the reigning 2008 GLRBC Champ! Has been a barista for 2 years, this is his third time competition. His signature drink was consisted of blackberry juice, almond paste and sage. Michael says that he has "a pension for Mai Tais and the tiki culture."
Rich Martens, The Italian Coffee Bar, Chicago IL
Rich has been a barista for over a year. His espresso was made from a Brazil and Mocha blend. Signature drink is called a "Tiramishot" derived from tiramisu. Ingredients included heavy whipping cream, lemon juice and lady fingers.
Kevin Cash, Espresso Sniper, Orient, OH
Kevin was a first time competitor. Signature drink was a single shot of espresso with 1oz of lightly heated coconut milk topped with organic dried maple syrup. He stated that he "had fun with his presentation". Kevin is a full-time bike messenger by day. He brought his love of cycling to Chicago this weekend where he rode his bike in to the competition from the hotel each day. Needless to say, Chicago got 2 inches of snow overnight!
Stephan Shaum, Phoenix Coffee, Cleveland, OH
Stephan Shaum was a first time competitor and has been a barista for two years. He named his specialty drink "Positive & Negative". It consisted of marzipan, poppy seed, espresso and balsamic glaze and ginger ale. Stephen likes to play "Go" - the Chinese version of chess.
Kimberly Daily, Muggswigz Coffee, Canton, OH
First time competitor and has been a barista for 1.5 years. Her drink was called the "Blueberry Espresso Cream". This was a two part drink - single shot of espresso and dehydrated blueberries with whipped cream. Kimberly says that she "never thought she would have done a competition and had fun".
Courtney Robinson, La Terza, Cincinnati, OH
This was her third time competing! Last year, Courtney competed at the USBC! Her specialty drink was blood orange syrup, soda water with juniper berry whipped cream. She has been a barista for 5 years. Not only does she serve coffee at La Terza, she also does all their baked goods. Yes, from scratch!
Trevor Corlett, MadCap Coffee, Grand Rapids, MI
Trevor is a first time competitor and has been a barista for eight years. His specialty drink was consisted of cherry butter, maple syrup, espresso and a splash of cream. Trevor's drink included 9 out of 10 items that were all sourced locally to him in Michigan. Aside from his just opening MadCap Coffee, Trevor enjoys time with his wife and two children - Addeline and Emma.
Trevor Gruehn, Manna Café, Madison, WI
This is Trevor's second time competing and he has been a barista for four years. His specialty drink was inspired from Paddington Bear's love of marmalade. The drink consisted of single origin Ethiopian Adado, over ice blood orange juice served with white chocolate and a zest of blood orange on the rim of the shot. Trevor is currently a full time student studying recording and music technology at the Madison Media Institute.
We greatly apologize; we didn't get a chance to meet up with:
Jared Schmitt, Stone Creek Coffee, Milwaukee, WI
Danielle Cohen, Phoenix Coffee, Cleveland Heights, OH
Joshua Dunigan, Grand Rapids, MI