Southeast Regional Barista Competition !!!!!!

Well, this past weekend in Chapel Hill, NC, the best baristas from Virginia down to Florida over to Mississippi and up to Kentucky squared off. murky coffee (arlington) sent three competitors with big dreams and mad skills. We've had some success in the past (1st, 2nd and 9th two seasons ago and 3rd and 4th last season), but the competitor pool keeps getting stronger, so we knew we had our work cut out.

All three of our competitors did great in the first round, with Nick Cho and Ryan Goodrow advancing to the final six and Janet Konz finishing in seventh, just missing the cut but winning over the crowd with her charisma and beauty.

It came down to Sunday's finals. All six competitors had previously competed in the United States Barista Competition, so we knew it was going to be a battle. Ryan was very strong and was completely dedicated to giving the judges the best possible drinks (even re-pulling his espresso, which pushed him over the time limit, incurring penalties), speaking in poetry and working with intensity. Nick overcame a heartstopping bean spill in his setup time to perform smoothly, telling a story about a young girl who grew up to produce some of the finest coffees to come out of El Salvador coffee. He told this story with words and with espresso.

At the awards ceremony, we all held our breath as the final three were called. 3rd place-Lem Butler, last years regional champ. 2nd place-Daryn Berlin, a great friend and the champ from three years ago. This year's champion?

Nicholas Cho, murky coffee. 2006 Southeast Regional Barista Champion.


We're excited for next May, when Nick will represent the Southeast at the United States Barista Competition in Long Beach, CA.

Awesome job, Mr. Cho!