The kids have been working most every evening the past few days on tightening their routines to be just a little bit faster and more consistent. You'll likely see the lights on late until we depart for the SCAA/USBC in Minneapolis midweek as Belle, Sonja and John perfect the performances they'll bring to the big USBC stage this weekend.
As all three finished just under 15 minutes in the regional competitions, shaving a few more seconds from their routines gives each some time to overcome any possible mistakes. The pressure is more intense and the need to repour a shot or wipe a spill can easily happen under the glare of the lights and cameras.
Do we expect to win? No. We expect the winner to come from a short list of excellent baristas who've been in the finals before. But we'd be delighted if John or Sonja could join Belle in next Sunday's semifinals. No barista from Pennsylvania has ever made it to the semis in the history of the USBC.
More important than their scores and where they finish is that each of them fulfill their own expectations as coffee professionals representing themselves, our shop and the Pittsburgh region. The quality of the performances, their interactions with the barista and roaster community in attendance and their personalities will all contribute to opening up other opportunities in coffee should any of them want to pursue coffee as a career (and we hope they do as they can all make an impact).
We'll have a complete timed and scored performance runthrough tonight with Belle and maybe one of the other two. If you're not doing anything and want to be a taster or timer, we could use a couple of judges from 7-9pm or so. Drop us an email in the next few hours. We'll get back to you by 5pm.
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