From March 5-8, the Oregon Convention Center in Portland is hosting the 2009 United States Barista Championship. Leading up to the USBC, I’m showcasing baristas who decided to compete for the American coffee crown. Meet Breanna Lloyd from Coffee Bean International in Portland, Oregon.

1. Did anything surprise you about your regional competition?
The biggest surprise was how amazing everyone was. I was very nervous (new people kind of scare me), but everyone was super open, friendly, welcoming, and supportive. It was great to meet so many awesome people who were all around for the same reason: a love of coffee.

2. Will adjust your approach for the United States Barista Championship? If so, how?
More practice. Much more practice, just doing run throughs every waking chance that I get, and realize that everyone there, judges included are there to help you get better.

3. What is your goal at the USBC?
Meet more baristas from across the nation, take in as much as I can, spread the word to as many “non baristas” as possible, try to spark an interest in everyone to be a part of the coffee community, and do the best in the competition as I can at this point in time. I have talked to so many custosmer in the past two days about the competition, coffee and have tried to encourage them to all come stop by and see it. It is important to get customers involved, because it helps everyone feel apart of something, especially something that we all seem to feel so passionately about.
Looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with for signature drinks.

4. What did you learn by competing at your regional?
It is a totally different animal than being behind a busy counter in a cafe.

5. What’s your training schedule like until the USBC?
Like I said, trying to go through as many practice run throughs as possible. I have a bunch of people helping out by being sensory judges, timers, and technical. It helps with getting used to tech judges being “in your space”.

6. What’s a coffeehouse you didn’t know about before your regional competition that you now plan to visit?
Zoka in Seattle, WA. Heard of them, but never really get to go up Seattle.

7. What’s your approach in choosing the music that plays during your performance?
1. Eye of the Tiger
2. She’s a Maniac
3. Mortal Kombat Theme
4. Final Countdown.
(Just kidding)

I love music. When not making coffee for all of our wonderful customers, I make music, so a good playlist is important to me. I try to pick things that are not super overwhelming, but fairly uplifting, and songs that make me feel more comfortable. It’s so hard to just get the list down to 15 minutes.