Not that we’re over our giddiness from the World Barista Championship (WBC) in Melbourne, which concluded Sunday with the United States sweeping the World Brewers Cup (Erin McCarthy) and the WBC (Pete Licata), but we’re switching gears now and counting down the days to Coffee Fest Chicago, which is just around the corner! The summer installment of this awesome coffee retailer event will take place at the always lively Navy Pier June 7 “9.
But before Coffee Fest even begins, there’s going to be a mega-cool barista event happening in nearby Peoria, Illinois: the second annual Peoria Barista Jam, which will be held at thIrty-thirty Coffee Co., 734 Main Street.
Peoria is a mere 166 miles from Chicago, so you ambitious baristas can easily make the cruise on Thursday and be back in time for Coffee Fest’s start on Friday. There is actually a party bus to help you get there: All the details about the jam can be found on the event’s Facebook page. But if you haven’t been enticed, here’s the skinny on the prizes for the 32-person TNT ($5 buy in):
PRIZES:
GRAND PRIZE
-BRAGGING RIGHTS
-$100 CASH
-$100 Gift Certificate for a pair of Asics Tiger shoes
-Elegant Black and Stainless steel Reg Barber Tamp
-12oz powder coated milk pitcher from Visions Espresso
-Set of logo’d Flying Portifilter diner ware from Espresso Parts (demi, macc, capp)
-1 yr. subscription to Barista Magazine
-Hario Pour Over stand set up from Champaign Coffee Co. w/ Hario Electric Buono from Visions Espresso
-Gold Kone from Able Brewing
-8oz bag of Ecuador Tazo Dorada de Palanda (Gold Cup winner from Ecuador) roasted by thirty-thirty Coffee Co.
-Miscellaneous coffee from attending roasters
RUNNER-UP
-$50 CASH
-$100 Gift Certificate for a pair of Asics Tiger shoes
-12oz powder coated milk pitcher from Visions Espresso
-Espresso Parts tamp and mat
-Set of logo’d Flying Portifilter diner ware from Espresso Parts (demi, macc, capp)
-1 yr. subscription to Barista Magazine
-Kone from Able Brewing
-Hario Buono Kettle and drip scale/timer from Champaign Coffee Co.
-12oz bag of Colombia Flor Del Monte (Cafe Imports ACES program coffee) roasted by thirty-thirty Coffee Co.
-Misc. coffee from attending roasters
THIRD PLACE
-$10 CASH
-$100 Gift Certificate for a pair of Asics Tiger shoes
-12oz powder coated milk pitcher from Visions Espresso
-Set of logo’d Flying Portifilter diner ware from Espresso Parts (demi, macc, capp)
-1 yr. subscription to Barista Magazine
-Espro 3 cup stainless steel press form Visions Espresso
-Kone from Able Brewing
-12oz bag of Ecuador Lucas Vera roasted by thirty-thirty Coffee Co.
Also at the 2nd Annual Barista Jam, there will be the following special events:
¢ Roaster Trivia Play, with green coffee prizes from Cafe Imports and Ninety Plus
¢ 1st Annual Facial Hair Competition (win some beard oil!)
¢ Delicious beer from Left Hand Brewery out of Longmont, CO. They are brewing up 2 firkins of their Milk Stout infused with thirty-thirty Coffee Co.’s Kenya Kichwa Tembo and Ecuador Lucas Vera for your enjoyment!
So you’ll have an amazing time at the Peoria Barista Jam, and then the fun begins at Coffee Fest Chicago the next day with the Latte Art Championship, sponsored by Nuova Simonelli, Dillanos, Barista Magazine, Ghirardelli, and Barista Exchange.
Check out all the competitors scheduled to compete, including Coffee Fest NYC Latte Art Championship winner Cabell Tice, and U.S. Latte Art Exhibition winner Kenny Smith!
What’s more, the America’s Best Coffeehouse and America’s Best Espresso competitions will be taking place at Coffee Fest Chicago as well. There’s still time to register for this amazing 3-day celebration of coffee, so what are you waiting for? Register today!
