The Final Positioning: USBC 2008

1 = Kyle Glanville

2 = Pete Licata

3 = Heather Perry

4 = Chris Baca

5 = Nick Griffith

6 = Drew Cattlin

The scores were tight!  Kyle’s performance was something to behold.  He was smooth.  He was suave.  He was sovereign, and he used the semi-SimulSpro™ technique.  Not entirely SimulSpro™, but not far off.  His art was by far the best of the competition (not that art matters.. in fact, someone made a comment that latte art was soooo 2007, and I happen to think they are right, if it matters.)

In case you were unable to see the semi-finals or finals performances, they are all available to watch online at the official SCAA live blog. -> http://scaa.wordpress.com

And in case you missed the semi-finals round performance of our very own Mr. Patrick Pierce, here he is ;o)
Patrick Pierce, Semi-finals round, 2008 USBC

For those who missed the live-feed discussions, you don’t know what you were missing. It was a great time. Almost as good as being there.

USBC Semifinals (where are they?) and The Finalists Are Announced

I realize I didn’t post a run-down or primer for the semi-finals round. Apologies!

Unfortunately(or fortunately?) It’s one of those times in which tangible life beckoned.

Anyway, without further ado, here are the finalists. The final six. The elite. The worthy. And so on.

Nick Griffith, Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea

Pete Licata, PT’s Coffee Roasting Company

Chris Baca, Ritual Coffee Roasters

Heather Perry, Coffee Klatch

Kyle Glanville, Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea

Drew Catlin, Ritual Coffee Roasters

I couldn’t help but notice that all but one of these competitors is from California.

I also couldn’t help but notice that there are two representing Intelligentsia, and two representing Ritual.

Pete Licata took second last year, and Heather, as we all know, took gold (and went on to take silver at the WBC).

This will be a good round to watch!  (and at only 2.5 hrs long, it should be managable, I think).

They are scheduled to begin at 12:00pm CST.  You can watch it LIVE by following this link.-> http://www.ustream.tv/channel/2008-united-states-barista-championship-live-feed

NOTE!:  You can also watch the recorded semi-finals round.  Just click the feed above, and click on the recorded video links under the viewing window.

If you want to keep up with photos from the event, there is a group for the SCAA show on flickr which can be found here:  http://flickr.com/groups/scaa2008/

Enjoy!