Toronto Notebook

We're a bit late revisiting all that went on last week up in Toronto, especially at the Canadian Barista Championship after-party, which was hosted by barista extraordinaire Matt Lee at his new shop in downtown T.O., Manic Coffee.

We've posted photos over at Flickr.  But those alone don't do the experience justice.

Here's why it's great to get together with fellow baristas:

1. Because it's great to get together with fellow baristas.  'Nuff said.
2. You get to see what these talented folks are really like when they're not behind the counter or on stage.  And they're quite normal.  Well, most of them.
3. You learn new art pours and other techniques.
4. You put faces to names.  Or is it names to faces?
5. You usually get to play with new toys - especially the case this time as Matt had all the toys: Clover, Synesso 2 group, Linea 4 group, Ambex grinders, a Swift, even a Matcha tea setup.  He's primed for some major volume.
6. You get to taste some of the world's best coffees brewed by some of the world's best baristas - in the case, including the reigning World Champion Barista.
7. You usually get good food.  We had 12 varieties of pizza and a whole pit-roasted pig.
8. You make new friends.
9. You get introduced to people you've only "met" prior in the comments section of your blog.  (And she - previously known only as "SEAsian" - informed me I was standing but 10 minutes from a durian - but I'd already had a beer and durian doesn't go with beer... or so she told me.  Which begs the question, what does go with durian?)
10.  There is always beer.  Good beer.  And lots of it.
11.  You get involved with stupid barista challenges.  For $10 a pop.

John didn't win the latte art throwdown (pot got to $320!).  But at least he entered.  I was too chicken after pouring some weak cheese on the Synesso a few minutes before the throwdown started.  There's always a next time.

Others took photos too.  From James Hoffmann (including Jay and Arthur sharing a pig head).  From Liz Clayton (lots of photos of great pours).

Comments

[Phil]

Never got the chance to say thanks for the invite.

Thanks for the invite.

We should talk soon; there are things in my mind to discuss.

[RichW]

Considering your blog, that could mean anything ;-)

I'll be down there sometime mid-week for groceries, so will be sure to stop by.

Btw, have you seen this thing?
http://www.freshroastsystems.com/