Among the world’s best baristas and coffee roasters descended on Seattle this weekend at the 21st annual Seattle Coffee Fest held at the Washington State Convention Center. Day 3 was as busy and exciting as ever as best baristas and certification continued, impressive coffee business seminars were given, three major competitions and a busy exhibit hall culminated upon the Emerald City.
America’s Best Coffeehouse Western Championship
Klatch Coffee of San Dimas, California took the top prize for best coffeehouse. The competition, which featured a fully designed café and decided by two groups of judges – backend and customers judges had determined the winner and runner ups.
1st Place – Klatch Coffee, San Dimas, CA
2nd Place – Heart Coffee Roaster, Portland, OR
3rd Place – Dog River Coffee, OR
America’s Best Espresso Western Championship
Coffee roasters across the West had battled for the top espresso this weekend here in Seattle. Various groups of judges from the Washington Restaurant Association helped percolate this year’s best.
1st Place – Blue Star Coffee Roasters
2nd Place – Conduit Coffee Roasters
3rd Place – Bowen Island Roasters
Seattle Coffee Fest World Coffee Art Championship Open
No doubt, this was certainly the most exciting competition for me to watch. This year’s winners are shown below.
1st Place – Kei Hamada, Yokohma, Japan of The Theatre Coffee & Caffe Zenon
2nd Place – Shimoyama Nobumasa of South Yara, Australia/ Japan Doutor Coffee
3rd Place – Cole McBride, Seattle Washington of Visions Espresso Service
Seattle Coffee Fest Exhibition
With about 300 exhibitors ranging from green coffee traders, café design consultants, to coffee roasters and everything in between, exhibit visitors were busy sampling great coffees, point of sale options, and others goodies.
Are you interested in becoming a barista? Do you want to win in the World Coffee Art Championship? Becoming a part of a thriving coffee scene as a talented barista in your community can bring you closer to your dream. For information on barista training near you, there are plenty of resources available.
