Watch baristas from all over California run their competition routines at Prep Rally, hosted by The Crown and Equator Coffees & Teas in Oakland, Calif.
BY ASHLEY RODRIGUEZ
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Are your friends tired of seeing your barista routine over and over? Or maybe you’ve been performing your 15 minutes of coffee showmanship in front of the mirror, or hoping that your dog will finally chime in with some helpful feedback about the angle of your tamp. The folks at The Crown and Equator Coffees & Teas have just the event for you!
Prep Rally, taking place March 2, will bring together baristas from across California to perform their competition routines for a new set of eyes. As the United States Barista Championship (USBC) draws closer (it’s in Kansas City, Mo., March 15-17), any chance for feedback is helpful—and Prep Rally will give baristas the chance to try their routines in front of a new audience and work with a number of experienced judges and competitors to fine-tune their run-throughs.
“Join this year’s CoffeeChamps competitors from all over the great state of California as they run through their routines to prep for the big day in Kansas City,” the Facebook page for the event states. “Watch their process and get a chance to taste their finely crafted and award-winning beverages.” Although many of the routines will be from barista competitors, folks competing in all fields are encouraged to showcase their routines, including Brewers Cup, Cup Tasters, and Coffee In Good Spirits.
Even if you’re not competing or going to Kansas City, you’re still invited to attend! “We want all baristas and coffee lovers to feel welcome to this event,” says Devorah Freudiger, director of coffee for Equator. “There will be coffee to drink during the event, snacks, and happy hour food and drink. All is free of charge and totally open to all. Please feel free to print out materials and post in your cafés. … Get your crew to show up!”
The run-throughs will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. Folks who want to attend are encouraged to RSVP (so they don’t run out of snacks), which you can do here.
The event takes place Saturday, March 2, at The Crown Tasting Room at 2523 Broadway in Oakland, and kicks off at 2 p.m.
