Stephen Morrissey on Barista Competitions

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World Barista Champion

2008 World Barista Champion Stephen Morrissey shares competitive wisdom.

The primary goal of the barista competition is to educate. It does not pretend to be a true reflection of the average cafe experience because for the most part there is great fault to be found with the average cafe experience. Great quality coffee is far too difficult to find and this competition aims to tackle that problem.

Coffee is a truly culinary treat that deserves due time in its preparation, and consumption. Great baristas engage their customers, educate where possible, and make tasty coffee. Barista competitions may occasionally seem obsessed with irrelevant minutia, however they work to reward the latter traits. I think most would agree that we want our baristas to be knowledgeable, friendly, and always able to make something delicious to drink.

I have been lucky enough to be involved in these competitions in many ways, from spectating, to judging, to competing and more recently, to organizing. So what have I learned?

Those who watch learn.
Those who compete improve.
Those who judge are just lucky feckers.

Note: Intended for a program that never took place:

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