It was a helluva competition in Bogota. One of the best I’ve ever had the opportunity to cover. And the Finals round was simply out of this world in the level of competition, professionalism, and enthusiasm on display by each of the baristas.
Here are the final standings and scores as listed on worldbaristachampionship.com:
2011 WORLD BARISTA CHAMPION:
ALEJANDRO MENDEZ, EL SALVADOR (710.5)
2nd Pete Licata, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (659.5)
3rd Matt Perger, AUSTRALIA (659)
4th Javier Garcia, SPAIN (631.5)
5th Miki Suzuki, JAPAN (629.5)
6th John Gordon, UNITED KINGDOM (613.5)
The closing night barista party was another epic event, a fitting end really to the whole experience. Watch our Facebook page for a photo report to be posted later today.
Thanks to all of those who worked so hard to make the 2011 WBC such a success including the WCE staff and sponsors, the awesome hosts from Colombia the FNC, and one special shout out to Luis Fernando Velez from Amor Perfecto, who has been a passionate advocate of the barista profession in Colombia. When he told me five years ago that he thought the WBC could be in Colombia some day, I thought he was nuts, and it would never happen. Thanks for proving me wrong, Luis.
