Sunscreen? Check! Floppy sun hat? Check! I’m headed for the South of France, and I can’t wait to see you there! The occasion? The Specialty Coffee Association of Europe’s annual World of Coffee event in Nice, France, which kicks off on Wednesday and concludes on Friday.
This is a pretty foo-foo affair: us coffee people taking over one of the swankiest cities in Europe, and at high season, no less? Let’s be sure to make the most of our time. Here’s my guide to enjoying the show, the competitions, and the city of Nice itself.
THE SHOW
The SCAE show is a biggie, and holding it in such a fancy-pants city, it’s sure to attract record crowds. The event takes place at the Acropolis Exhibition Centre, 1 Esplanade De Latte De Tassigny 06000 Nice.
There are going to be loads of activities to take part in and things to do, but here are what I think will be some of the highlights.
”Tamper Tantrum Live: These talks ”organized by Steve Leighton and Colin Harmon ”will bring together some of the most innovative thinkers in coffee as a soap box for twenty minutes each to present their most serious passions, peculiarities, and pet-peeves when it comes to coffee. These presentations, as well as the question and answer sessions that follow, are streamed and recorded online in order to create a knowledge-based forum which will help to develop attitudes, ideas, and lots of questions about the coffee industry by those who work within it.
Here is a complete list of the speakers scheduled for Tamper Tantrum Live throughout the SCAE show:
”World Cup Tasters Championship: The World Cup Tasters Championship awards the professional coffee cupper (the cup taster) who demonstrates speed, skill, and accuracy in distinguishing the taste differences in specialty coffees.
”World Coffee Roasting Championship: After a successful prelaunch event at SCAE World of Coffee in Vienna last year, World Coffee Events (a daughter company of SCAE) is pleased to announce the first official World Coffee Roasting Championship that will debut at SCAE World of Coffee in Nice. The event will showcase national champions from over ten countries, including Singapore, Russia, Japan, Hong Kong, France, Norway and Romania. The event was developed to highlight the art and skill in craft roasting. The format is comprised of three stages. First, the participant evaluates three green coffee options, provided to them by this year’s coffee sponsor, Café Imports. Next, a coffee is selected and a roasting profile that best accentuates the desirable characteristics of the coffee is created. Sample roasters provided by Toper are used in developing the roast profile. Then, competitors prepare their competition coffee on Giesen production roasters. Finally, on the third day, the coffees are cupped by apanel of judges to determine who most closely matched their roasting profile with the outcome in the cup.
”SCAE & Coffee Kids Beach Party! Wednesday June 26, 7 “10 p.m., Hi Park Beach: With a fabulous beach location this year this event is going to be a sell out! Grab your tickets early! The evening includes: the popular Coffee Kids charity auction, music and much much more. Tickets are €15 each and include 2 free drinks. Ticket enquiries: Visit SCAE and Coffee Kids stands at show.
”Cafe Imports Cupping with Aida Batlle: Thursday, June 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Noah Namowicz and Gabriel Dunn of Cafe Imports will lead a cupping of premium coffees certified Aida Batlle Selection. And Ms. Batlle herself will be on hand at the cupping to answer questions!
And leave it to the crazy folks at Natvia to have put together what is sure to be a wild party for the final night of the World of Coffee! The party ”which has the theme Full Moon ”will start at 8, and be held at The High Club, 45 Promenade des Anglais, 06000 Nice. Tickets are 25 Euro each and can be purchased HERE.
That’s my not-to-miss list of activities taking place at the SCAE in Nice next week, but of course there will be tons of exhibitors with amazing products and equipment, as well as seminars galore. For all the information, go to the World of Coffee homepage.
I’ll see you soon on the French Riviera!
