Day 2 at the Big Eastern Barista Competition!

Barista Mag in the house! Free copies for everybody!

As I mentioned in yesterday’s report from the Big Eastern, we are so sad we can’t be there! Ken is at the Italian Coffee Championships in Rimini, Italy, while I am essentially chained to my desk all weekend finishing up the February+March issue of Barista Magazine. Lucky for us, our dear friend, Lem Butler ”oh, yeah, you know him: he’s won the SE Regional Barista Competition 4 freakin times! ”is our on-the-ground reporter at the event in Durham, N.C. Check out the wonderful photos he’s taken!

Ben Helfen of Counter Culture Coffee takes a turn emceeing and interviewing competitors.
Ben Helfen of Counter Culture Coffee takes a turn emceeing and interviewing competitors.
Are YOU a member?
Are YOU a member?
Standing room only on the second day of competition!
Standing room only on the second day of competition!
Barista Mag in the house! Free copies for everybody!
Barista Mag in the house! Free copies for everybody!
Whooooo will go home with this sucker?
Whooooo will go home with this sucker?
Again, we just can't get over what a gorgeous competition space this is... Big ups to Counter Culture Coffee and Dallis Bros. Coffee for hosting the Big Eastern!
Again, we just can’t get over what a gorgeous competition space this is… Big ups to Counter Culture Coffee and Dallis Bros. Coffee for hosting the Big Eastern!
What a crowd!
What a crowd!
Judges taking their work seriously. They have a lot of responsibility!
Judges taking their work seriously. They have a lot of responsibility!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Sarah 936 Articles
Sarah Allen (she/her) is co-founder and editor of Barista Magazine, the international trade magazine for coffee professionals. A passionate advocate for baristas, quality, and the coffee community, Sarah has traveled widely to research stories, interact with readers, and present on a variety of topics affecting specialty coffee. She also loves animals, swimming, ice cream, and living in Portland, Oregon.