DChap with his Sunshine Dairy Milk backstage in the competitors' area.
What an amazing day Thursday was here in Boston at the SCAA show, with the start of myriad barista competitions, exhibitors building their booths, and general merriment as coffee friends from all over the world were reunited. Here are photos from some of our favorite moments of the day.
The SCAA show floor on Thursday, as exhibitors built their booths. Today the floor opens!
Baratza’s new grinder revealed! The Forte.
Lauren shows off her BGA flair at the Welcome Reception.
2012 Barista Champion of Mexico, Fabrizio (center), with friends at the Dalla Corte Hospitality Suite.
Reunited and it feels real good: from left, The Pete (Parisi), Dut (Safehouse), Michael (Independent), and Ros (Michael’s squeeze)(
Sonja and Scott at the U.S. Latte Art Exhibition judges certification.
Reg Barber with the beautiful USBC trophies he created.
Brewers Cup & Cup Tasters trophies, also crafted by Reg.
Who will win this giant check at the Thursday Night Throwdown at the SCAA’s Welcome Reception?
USBC competitors offering friendly feedback: Scott tastes Trevor’s espresso. Ryan helps, too.
DChap with his Sunshine Dairy Milk backstage in the competitors’ area.
Anne Coopr of Dallis Bros. competes in the USBC round 1.
Anne Cooper serving her USBC judges.
Ryan Redden patiently waits (with his dry ice) to begin his USBC performance.
Barista Magazine with pals Gianni from Nuova Simonelli, and Reg.
The coffee engineering braintrust: from left, Vince (VST), John (La Marzocco), Lauro (Nuova Simonelli), and Greg (Scace)
Sterling workin it at the Barista Nation pop-up cafe!
Erin Um competes in the US Brewers Cup round one.
The BGA Cafe is the tastiest place to be.
Official USBC & US Brewers Cup Programs, created by yours truly.
Camila Ramos of Panther Coffee competes in the USBC round 1.
Dancers at the opening reception, which was a celebration of El Salvaodor’s coffee culture.
The packed opening reception.
Barista Guild latte art throwdown: The final four pours.
And local boy Cabell wins the latte art throwdown and 500 big ones!
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.
