There's A New Champion In Pittsburgh
Belle Battista of Aldo Coffee is the 2008 Mid Atlantic Barista Champion.
We're hoping to have our Belle guest blog on her Mid Atlantic Regional Barista Competition first place finish and experience later in the week. Also, those of you on our email list, expect an invite to a special celebratory customer experience in the very near future.
Credits and thanks:
-Matt Riddle & Amber Sather for the training.
-The roasters and tasters at Intelligentsia for the amazing blend.
-Amy Enrico for allowing us to work on her shiny new GB5 and the Enrico's Tazza d'Oro team for making us all feel welcome at their shop
-Nick Cho for stepping in when nobody else in the region was willing or able to produce our region's competition.
-The phenomenal support of other shop owners, baristas and coffee geeks from Pittsburgh and Western PA, especially the ones who've really pushed us to do even better.
Congratulations to Belle, and to Aldo's for supporting Pittsburgh, the coffee culture in our area and your baristas! And what a wonderful trophy!
Posted by: Sibyl | February 18, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Belle: I knew you could do it! Congratulations to all of you at Aldo Coffee. And to Sonya and John: good for you, too! Congratulations on your efforts! And, of course, to Melanie & Rich: I knew you could to it too! Congratulations on living your dream of a successful coffee house! And to Aldo: Maybe your parents will actually drive you to Boscov's tonight, instead of you having to walk there! Congratulations all!!!! Best of luck at Nationals!!!
Posted by: Cara | February 18, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Belle,Sonja and John- Tazza D'Oro would like to congratulate you on such outstanding performances. Hope you are enjoying the experience.
Posted by: Amy | February 18, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Well done, Belle!
Posted by: terry | February 18, 2008 at 04:43 PM
Congratulations to ALL Aldo baristas, you've obviously worked very hard to develop extremely fine skills.
To Belle, SUPER CONGRATULATIONS, you've worked and honed and perfected, and you deserve your championship.
Knock 'em dead in Minneapolis!
Posted by: Melissa & Annette | February 18, 2008 at 05:44 PM
Belle,
it was wonderful to meet you and your Aldo family. You guys are great. I loved competing with you guys. Best of luck in Minneapolis, I am sure you will rock!
Posted by: randy | February 20, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Belle,
Marvelous job in D.C.! Congratulations. Your continued efforts over the years have gotten you to a great place. I wish you great success at the USBC.
Also, I am thrilled that Aldo was able to place all three of their competitors into the finals.
Lastly, I would like to thank Rich and Melanie for the incredible support they have provided for their baristas. You set a shining example of what is possible if you believe and invest in your people.
Doug Zell
Intelligentsia Coffee
Posted by: Doug Zell | February 20, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Congrats to Belle!
Also, Congrats to the entire Aldo team. Three in the finals! That's just crazy.
Well done.
Posted by: Jason Haeger | February 20, 2008 at 02:34 PM