Photos & Fun from the Big Western in L.A.!

Thanks to Sam Penix and Rita Kaminsky, we have loads of great photos to share with you from all the action at today’s Big Western Barista Competition & Brewers Cup events! Check ’em out! And be sure to come back tomorrow for loads more!

Fun at the BGA Cafe!
Fun at the BGA Cafe!
Some seriously pretty table settings.
Some seriously pretty table settings.
A fantastic roster of competitors took their turn on the stage today in Los Angeles.
A fantastic roster of competitors took their turn on the stage today in Los Angeles.
Hey, that's James Fairbrass judging!
Hey, that’s James Fairbrass judging!

 

Cole McBride ”repping Visions Espresso and Velton's ”is cool and focused during his Northwest Regional Barista Comp performance.
Cole McBride ”repping Visions Espresso and Velton’s ”is cool and focused during his Northwest Regional Barista Comp performance.

 

Korean television is on hand to interview competitors!
Korean television is on hand to interview competitors!

 

Joe Morrocco of Cafe Imports works as the emcee interviewing competitors.
Joe Morrocco of Cafe Imports works as the emcee interviewing competitors.

 

Maxwell Mooney kills it on stage!
Maxwell Mooney kills it on stage!
Different perspectives.
Different perspectives.

 

Judges can't hold back their excitement!
Judges can’t hold back their excitement!

 

Competition is serious business.
Competition is serious business. Emcee Joshua Boyt helps keep things light.

 

Justin Williams of Front Cafe in San Francisco got the day going right.
Justin Williams of Front Cafe in San Francisco got the day going right.

 

Outdoor vendors offered up all kinds of goodies.
Outdoor vendors offered up all kinds of goodies.

 

And smiles and thumbs up were free.
And smiles and thumbs up were free!

 

DSre helps Verve Coffee represent.
Dre helps Verve Coffee represent.

 

These things couldn't happen without sponsor support, yo.
These things couldn’t happen without sponsor support, yo.

 

Delicious treats for everyone.
Delicious treats for everyone.

 

It's all so fancy and scientific!
It’s all so fancy and scientific!

 

Zillion-time barista competitor Ryan Willbur proves he's still got it.
Zillion-time barista competitor Ryan Willbur proves he’s still got it.

 

Devorah's so purdy.
Devorah’s so purdy.
Hey, it's Sam Penix!
Hey, it’s Sam Penix!

 

 

 

About Sarah 938 Articles
Sarah Allen (she/her) is co-founder and editor of Barista Magazine, the international trade magazine for coffee professionals. A passionate advocate for baristas, quality, and the coffee community, Sarah has traveled widely to research stories, interact with readers, and present on a variety of topics affecting specialty coffee. She also loves animals, swimming, ice cream, and living in Portland, Oregon.