Big news! Cafe Imports to Open Training Space in Minneapolis!

Photo kidnapped from Cafe Imports' blog: At left, Pete Licata, who won the USBC using a Colombian coffee sourced by Cafe Imports. Noah Namowicz of Cafe Imports at right.

Cafe Imports is on fire! Not only does the renowned green coffee importer support barista champions in an unprecedented way ”sending all U.S. Regional Champs, the U.S. Champ, and the World Barista Champ to origin with Cafe Imports educators ”but the company is committed to providing whatever other care their clients need.

We love the Cafe Imports crew. Pictured here, Tim Chapdelaine and Jason Long.

The Minneapolis-based company ”which is known for sourcing some of the best coffees in all sizes of lots in the world, for top indie roasters like MadCap, Verve, Kaldi’s, Dogwood, and others ”has just announced that they will open a training center called the MPLS Coffee Mill which “is a place where coffee professionals can come to refine their knowledge and skills. It is an interactive, hands-on learning and coffee centered workspace. This space is outfitted with some of the latest and greatest coffee equipment for training and education, and we will be holding classes throughout the year in the space including our own educational content and Q certifications.”

Group photo in Brazil of the first group of barista champs that Cafe Imports took to source. In this three-year sponsorship, other producing countries to visit are Costa Rica and Kenya. During the USBC in Boston last week, Cafe Imports announced that they have renewed the contract, and will take barista champs to producing countries through 2016!

It really was the natural next step for this company that provides coffee to some of the world’s best roasters. One thing we’re especially excited to hear is that Cafe Imports will be offering a three-day coffee educational workshop called “Source, Craft, and Serve.” The programming will be:

Day 1: Green grading/analysis, cupping, and sample roasting

Day 2: Production roasting skills and profile roasting education

Day 3: Barista training and behind the counter education

This workshop will be offered on an on-going basis, with the very first one scheduled to take place in June. Interested in attending? Then contact Cafe Imports!

But for now, just revel in the fact that such a place is mere days away from opening. Stay tuned for photos of the space to come!

AND WHILE WE HAVE YOUR ATTENTION…

Did you know that a whole bunch of baristas in the United States Barista Championship and the U.S. Brewers Cup used coffee sourced by Cafe Imports? Um, including the guy who won it all, Pete Licata of Parisi Coffee!??

Here’s the complete list…

USBC:

1. Josh Taves @coffeeuphigh, Dogwood Coffee Co: Colombia ACES, Finca Miranda by Elsias Munoz

2. Pete Licata @petelicata, Parisi Coffee: Colombia Finca Primavera by Arnulfo Leguizamo

3. Stacey Kock @s_kock, Verve Coffee: Colombia Finca El Faldon by Arnulfo Leguizamo

4. Jasper Wilde, Verve Coffee: Colombia AssociacÃ®on Los Naranjos, Group Producer Lot

5. Nick Purvis @nickpurvis, The French Press (Verve Coffee): Streetlevel Espresso (50% Colombia AssociacÃ®on Los Naranjos)

6. Jacque Desmarais @JacqueDesMarais, Kaldis Coffee: Colombia Finca El Diviso by Jose Jordani

7. Brian Gelletly @bpgel, Ultimo Coffee (Counter Culture): Bolivia, CENAPROC D’Montana

Brewers Cup:

1. Andrew Tucker-Macleod @humandroid, Batdorf and Bronson Coffee Roasters: Kenya Kaya AA Kiriti

(Pssst! I stole this list from Cafe Imports’ blog — check it out for more info about this awesome importing company!)