RE:BLOOM is an educational and networking series of events kicking off in Chapel Hill on September 27-28.
BY J. MARIE CARLAN
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Photos courtesy of SCA USA
The USA Chapter of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is beginning a series of educational and networking events, titled RE:BLOOM. Their goal is to bring people in the specialty-coffee community together while providing access to coffee knowledge, education, collaboration, and resources.
The event takes place at various locations in Chapel Hill, N.C., this Friday and Saturday, September 27-28. RE:BLOOM is free to attend, thanks to the volunteers and sponsors making the event possible. With parties, panels, cuppings, and workshops, there’s plenty to look forward to!
RE:BLOOM in Chapel Hill
The festivities will begin with a kickoff party event Friday evening at the Caffé Driade Garden in Chapel Hill. The party is sponsored by Alex & Asher LLC, a Raleigh, N.C.-based coffee equipment tech company, and will feature local coffee musicians and DJ orokos.
“The USA Chapter of the SCA created this event, with our Lead Sponsors’ and Community Sponsors’ very generous support, to be inclusive and offer new perspectives and information to anyone interested in specialty coffee,“ says Jess Ross of SCA USA. “As a new event, we’re excited to have a large number of people attending from the North Carolina coffee community, and we have people flying and driving in from all across the nation—from Washington state to New Mexico, Maryland, Ohio, and Illinois, to name a few.“
Attendees can expect opportunities to improve their coffee skills, meet other coffee professionals, and be inspired to think of new ways to approach their work and communities.
“All of the talks, workshops, and panels are led by and filled with industry leaders who are recognized nationally and internationally for their expertise in specialty coffee,“ Jess adds. “The chapter has many relationships that garner access to some highly respected speakers who share the message of inclusivity and equality. We’re particularly thrilled that our presenters, panelists, and workshop leads have volunteered their valuable time and expertise to make the inaugural RE:BLOOM a success.“
Workshops and Panels
Saturday morning will begin with coffee at Caffé Driade, where attendees can sample locally roasted brews at the Filter Village. The remainder of the day will feature educational and engaging sessions with panels, workshops, and cuppings at Carrboro Coffee Roasters.
Saturday’s workshops include one on sample roasting led by U.S. Roaster Championship competitor Matthew Selivanow. There will be a chance to demo the Arc S, a closed barrel, modular sample roasting system. Specialty Coffee Association Authorized Trainer Claudio Martinez will lead a workshop on the ins and outs of dialing in espresso. “Water For Coffee,“ a workshop explaining how minerals in water impact cup quality, will be led by Charles Nick of Third Wave Water.
Panels include “Economic Justice & Career Development,“ which will discuss career opportunities and fair pay in the coffee sector, and “What Does Specialty Coffee Value?“ which will reflect on the shared values of the specialty-coffee community. Members from the U.S. Coffee Competitions Strategic Committee and World Coffee Events will hold a panel discussing the evolution of U.S. coffee competitions.
Education and Cuppings
An introduction to cupping, led by Carrboro’s Scott Conary, authorized trainer for the Specialty Coffee Association, will introduce the SCA approach to coffee value assessment for professional cuppers. “Sweetness & Acidity in Coffee“ is a cupping led by Dr. Nancy Cordoba, who holds a Ph.D. in sensory science. (This cupping is reserved for professional cuppers only.)
One highlight of the event is a presentation from the Coffee Equity Lab at Vanderbilt University. Students will share their 2024 winning projects, then lead a discussion of current coffee equity topics.
Afterparty and Signature Drink Competition
After Saturday’s panels, workshops, and presentations, attendees will be treated to an afterparty. They’ll also get a chance to flex their drinks skills with a signature beverage competition, organized and judged by U.S. Coffee in Good Spirits judges.
Sponsors
Lead sponsors include Barista Magazine, Carrboro Coffee Roasters, GH Grinding & Brewing Solutions, Nuova Simonelli, Oatly, Spirit Tea, Victoria Arduino, and Urnex. There are also several community sponsors, including Acaia, Alliance for Coffee Excellence, Little Waves Coffee Roasters, and Third Wave Water.
“We are thrilled to have such a caliber of folks accessible while having all entry costs covered by sponsorship,“ Jess says. “It’s incredible how the community has banded together to create an event by the coffee community for the coffee community.“
Check It Out
You can see the full agenda on the RE:BLOOM event website and register to attend here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J. Marie Carlan (she/they) is the online editor for Barista Magazine. She’s been a barista for 16 years and writing since she was old enough to hold a pencil. When she’s not behind the espresso bar or toiling over content, you can find her perusing record stores, writing poetry, and trying to keep the plants alive in her Denver apartment.
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