A month from today the winner of this year's Mid Atlantic Regional Barista Competition (MARBC) will be announced.
It's an exciting time for the Pittsburgh barista community as this year marks the first time the MARBC will be held in Western PA. It'll be held up in Cranberry at the Marriott North (yeah to no travel costs for our team!).
Ed Wethli of Kiva Han up in Cranberry took on the project as host sponsor. He's pouring a significant amount of time, money and energy into what will be a first-class event with amenities and production values we haven't seen before at past Mid Atlantic competitions. Additionally, since no one stepped up to host the Northeast competitions, top baristas from that region (New England, New York) will also be coming to Cranberry to compete.
Several baristas will be working together to fine tune and critique their presentations in the coming weeks at practice sessions and a mock competition to be held at Simpatico downtown, which is one of a handful of local shops that has a machine (Nuova Simonelli Aurelia) similar to that used in this year's competition.
The Mid Atlantics are shaping up to be primarily a face off between Pittsburgh and Washington DC. While entries are still being accepted, we're aware of about 15 local baristas who plan to enter and at 10 from the DC area. There are only 30 total spots for competitors. Reports from the other side of the state indicate that Philly will be a no-show but there will be a couple from the Scranton area. We expect we'll also see shops from New Jersey, Baltimore, State College and Wilmington, DE to complete the list and make this a full roster.
The locals who've said they'll be competing include Aldo, Blue Horse, 21st Street, Enrico's Tazza d'Oro, Beaver Falls Coffee & Tea and LaPrima.
From the Northeast region, we're aware of competitors from Boston and Providence making the trip, a number of well-known spro slingers from Manhattan/Brooklyn, and we assume, a contingent from Ithaca, which has always had strong showings at past events.
Awareness of the competition is already starting to build. China mentioned it in a recent column. Ken Rice mentioned it last night on the 11pm CW news (after a feature on a barista from a non-Pittsburgh shop). You'll be seeing the local coffee blogs talk about it more and more as we draw near.
We'll be sending two or three competition "rookies": Lauren and Frank and possibly one other (shops are allowed two initial entries and a third or fourth if there are still available slots - which there may not be this time). Prior finalists John and Sonja may participate as judges this time out, but will not be performing. Defending champion Belle is busy with her new venture, but will be there as a spectator and supporter.
We'll be talking more about the MARBC frequently in the weeks to come.
I'm really looking forward to this event....
Posted by: Kevin Flack | January 08, 2009 at 04:15 PM
Kevin,
I hear you're planning on judging. If so, you'll enjoy the experience!
Posted by: Rich | January 08, 2009 at 05:09 PM
Rich, yes - I was hoping that I could be a judge in the event. I'm not quite sure how I would need to proceed to make that happen and I was hoping you could "hold my hand" a little to get me acclimated to the whole process and go from there. Thanks for the opportunity, I'm excited to be a part of it.
Kevin
Posted by: Kevin Flack | January 08, 2009 at 09:55 PM