My Little Pine Base Racks - Should I Be Concerned?

[luvmytoolz]

[member=82312]onocoffee[/member] Nice work! Are you a competitive barista or roaster/producer?

I guess I've been both (but not a producer).

In years past, I competed in the barista championships and won the US AeroPress Championship. Later, I judged barista championships and became one of the people who certified sanctioned championships across the world. But my day job has been running my own little coffee company that has done retail as well as roasting, wholesale and consulting. As part of my work roasting, I've worked with different producers in different regions to source nice quality coffee.

Small world, we're very into the coffee scene as my young bloke was a competitor. Have you judged at any of the MICE events here in Melb or mainly in the US? MICE here is pretty amazing, and especially when the latte art comps are on the crowds drawn are incredible, especially when the likes of Jibbi Little are competing.

It's been quite amazing to see the growth and evolution in the cafe/coffee industry over the years. It's very much a lifestyle thing here despite the cost of living.

 

[onocoffee]

[member=75933]luvmytoolz[/member] No, I have not been to Australia. Was going to go to judge World Barista Championship the last time it was held at MICE but the flights from the USA that year were $12,000. For "economy." And since the organization expects their judges to pay their own way, I passed.

Typically, I don't judge in the US. Mainly because I'm based here and I prefer not to dance in my own playground. Most of my judging has been in nations whose coffee scenes are still developing. Lots of time in Central America, Africa, a little in South America and SE Asia, and then most recently I developed the judging scene in Saudi Arabia.

But now I no longer am involved and am just making little pine bases in my garage!