Comments on: UKBC 2008 – Who is entering?

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 17:56:46 +0000

I entered the barista champs for the 1st time ever this year. I had no idea of what to expect!( but it was briliant fun). It would have been great to have known about the barista jam you guys have mentioned before hand. Where is this kind of info best found for future reference?

By: Jon

Jon — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 00:19:11 +0000

On your point Annette…it is difficult for baritas to have the time for competitions. I think the biggest issue this year is the final being split over 3 days and not knowing if you need to be in London for the 3rd day in advance. I have 3 employees entering the Scottish qualifiers and have already told them there will be issues with London…a day trip is 1 thing but 3 days! I think most people will have problems with the new set-up…esp as few of the finalists will be from London.

By: Søren Stiller Markussen

Søren Stiller Markussen — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 20:17:52 +0000

Well….I will defently be watching and listening from the sideline here from Copenhagen…

I have also started to prepare myself for the Danish Championship beginning of March…

Hopefully I will se some of you there…and perhaps I hope I will have time to come to London and watch..

Søren Stiller Markussen

By: Anette

Anette — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 18:48:06 +0000

As Lauren mentioned, the London heat which was supposed to be on Wednesday has been cancelled. The three (!) baristas who did sign up have been moved to other heats. This is not the first year this has happened, London as a regional has always been the weakest one. How bad is it that a city this size can muster enough people to keep it from getting cancelled? Northern Ireland has so many it’s a two day event! I know the baristas are out there, how do we get them to step up to the plate?
Appreciating that the time and cost involved makes it hard for a lot of baristas (and their bosses), what could the industry/organizers/judges etc. do to make it easier for potential competitors to go for it anyway? More jams? More explanation of the format? More PR/emphasis on the benefits of taking part? The competition should be as much about the baristas as possible, so I would just like to hear what the baristas want to get from it (Other than a trip to the WBC!)
Think about it before, during and after this years regionals, and tell us so we can make it better!

Gutted I have to miss out on the South West this year (Hugo and Tristan and everyone- blog and take pictures, please!), but will try and be at all the other heats. Good luck to everyone who’s entering, enjoy and have fun!

Anette

By: Wills

Wills — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 13:35:14 +0000

Hello,
I was at the Jam in bristol, I’ll be entering the heat there too! Competition virgin, just hoping plenty of practice will prevent me looking like a total pilark on stage! Great to meet everyone in bristol, I look forward to seeing everyone again soon Wills

By: Lauren C

Lauren C — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 10:34:51 +0000

Hi there!
Was at the barista jam as well (after fighting our way through London & Bristol traffic). Really great day, picked up lots of pointers on scoring, especially where to sacrifice ‘yes/no’ points in favour of ’0-6′ points.
Wish I’d been to one of these before my first UKBC heat last time! As there’s no London heat anymore I’ll have to make the trip up to Bristol again! Looking forward to getting a better score this year since I’ve been strictly following the technical routine all year.
Really need to work on my choice of coffee for the upcoming comp – at work I don’t have contact with any roasters/suppliers as we’re tied to a certain global brand… so will have to venture out and make some friends. Got any advice? Very novice at all aspects of cupping/blending/everything involving bean selection…
Lauren

By: mentness/stuartlee

mentness/stuartlee — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 18:55:18 +0000

Cheers for that Ed- I shall proceed with my blend selection accordingly!

Thanks for your input at the Jam yesterday sir!

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:02:37 +0000

Ed The midlands heats are in the picturesque town of Buxton, Derbyshire. A fantastic venue – the Univ of Derby campus. See you there!

By: Hug

Hug — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 21:49:09 +0000

Right then, that’s the kisag idea binned….saves consulting the war office for permission to buy one.

Any tips on centrifuges?

By: Edmund

Edmund — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 20:20:48 +0000

Hi Jim,

I’m in it again this year, up in the Midlands somewhere. The heat is rushing up so fast and my 3 month old daughter has reduced my preparation to ideas only!!! I need to pull my finger out real soon. I’m hoping for a solid performance to get me through to the semi’s and then really go for it in the new year.

Time is the key, we are taking someone else on at work soon which should free me up a bit to develop my ideas.

mentness/stuartlee – Last year we were allowed to adjust the temp of the machine even though the rules say that the equipment should be pre-set.

Kisag gun… I got one of thoes too, I have a feeling they will be quite popular this year!