Barista Battle 2005

The Battle Went off like a sundown at the corral. The Taco Man passed out savory munchies hot off the grill and the demo Marzocco pumped out any concoction you guests could invent, free.The bleachers filled up quickly and the live video feed covered the rest. The pressure was so intense a barista backed out that day so we filled it with a barista from the audience. The "calibrated" judges ended up scoring 3 espressos, 3 cappuccinos and 3 specialty using straight SCAA Barista Competition forms. Three groups rotated and bounced from one Marzocco to the Other.

First Place winner,Daniel Ahumada, Cafe Terra, conducted the coffee with deliberate authority and finesse. His Cafe Colada lit up the judges and stirred up oohs and ahs form the crowd. He finished exactly on time with a bar looking as if the Marzocco just came out of the box. Across from him, Jane Fowler, Zzyxx Coffee, faced off with three cappuccinos in artistic form. She had stepped in to cover one of her staff Barista entered who was out with flu and pulled off second place and $335. Marie Holsten, Elixir Espresso Bar, scored a third $235, with a Caffe Vienna, beautiful, concentrated and honey sweet.

Of the 14 Barista courageous enough to put it all on the table, Cafe Moto thanks you so very much. Without your skills, the level of coffee will remain the same. which we won't have.

Their locations and mapping will be coming out in the Espresso Newspaper so all of you who missed the First ever San Diego Barista Battle 2005 can go get a taste and be impressed.