Scenes from the USCC Preliminaries—Tulsa, Okla.

October 6, 2017 Ashley Rodriguez Competitions, Regional Barista Competitions Comments Off on Scenes from the USCC Preliminaries—Tulsa, Okla.

We wrap up coverage of the CoffeeChamps preliminary events with a recap of last weekend’s final competition in Tulsa, Okla., hosted by Topeca Coffee.

BY ASHLEY RODRIGUEZ
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE

The final two preliminary events of the United States Coffee Championships (USCC) took place last weekend leading up to the Qualifying Competitions and the USCC national competition happening in April 2018. Our last stop brings us to Tulsa, Okla., to give you highlights and results of the competition hosted by Topeca Coffee.

We’ve covered the previous seven preliminary events on the website earlier this month: in Rancho Cucamonga, Seattle, Portland, Ore., Denver, Greenville, S.C., Washington, D.C., and Louisville, Ky. Tulsa was dominated by the team at Onyx Coffee in Fayetteville, Ark. Co-owner and last year’s United States Barista Championship runner-up Andrea Allen won the barista competition. Reigning U.S. Brewers Cup champion and Onyx head trainer Dylan Siemens placed second in the barista competition, and assistant trainer Elika Liftee won Brewers Cup. Photos and highlights of the competition follow—scroll down to see who will advance from both the barista and Brewers Cup competitions!

Along with the competition, Topeca Coffee celebrated 15 years in business! Photo courtesy of Topeca Coffee.

 

Carlos Palacio, owner of Trio Craft Coffee, competes in the Brewers Cup competition. Photo by Austin Leith.

 

Dylan Siemens and Andrea Allen placed second and first, respectively, in the barista competition. Photo by Daniel Whitaker.

 

Eli Ramirez of Halfwit Coffee prepares before the judges come out.Eli will be moving on to the qualifying event. Photo by Austin Leith.

 

Brooke Ledbetter of Edison Coffee talks to the emcee after her routine. Photo by Austin Leith.

 

Head judge Miguel Vicuna taking notes. Barista competitors had to present to two sensory judges, one technical judge, and a head judge. Photo by Austin Leith.

 

Judges’ calibration. Photo courtesy of Topeca Coffee.

 

There was no livestream, but people found ways to share their favorite performances. Photo by Austin Leith.

 

Qualifying baristas will participate in the upcoming qualifying event before the U.S. Barista Championship in April 2018. Photo by Daniel Whitaker.

 

The top four brewers; Onyx Coffee took top honors in both competitions. Photo by Daniel Whitaker.

BARISTA COMPETITION

1. Andrea Allen, Onyx Coffee
2. Dylan Siemens, Onyx Coffee
3. Isaiah Sheese, Archetype Coffee
4. Eli Ramirez, Halfwit Coffee
5. Tae-Wan Kim, Kindness & Mischief
6. Katie Hatch, Caffe Medici
7. Dakota Graff, Airship Coffee
8. Levi Roye, PT’s Coffee

BREWERS CUP

1. Elika Liftee, Onyx Coffee Lab
2. Nick Stevens, West Oak Coffee
3. Alex Hanson, Spyhouse Coffee
4. Ali Abderrahman, State Street Coffee

About Ashley Rodriguez 413 Articles
Ashley is the Online Editor for Barista Magazine. She's based in Chicago. If you want to share a story or have a comment, you can reach her at ashley@baristamagazine.com.