Houston Specialty Coffee Scene Vibrant As Two New Ultimate Barista Champions Are Crowned At Southwest Foodservice Expo

, Texas / Portland, Oregon, USA - Over 16,000 attendees crowded George Bush Convention Center June 27th to 29th to cheer on their favorite local barista - someone who expertly prepares and serves espresso and coffee drinks, as they steamed and brewed their way to the championship round of the Ultimate Barista Challenge� Americas.



The 4th annual Ultimate Barista Challenge� garnered the attention of local cafes and baristi, entertained audience members with a novel dueling barista competition where baristi battle the clock as well as each other in four tasty categories. Ultimate Barista Sean Marshall and owner of Fusion Beans in Houston trained several of the barista competitors who in turn chose him to challenge. Sean won Best of Brew Championship with his Chemex brewing finesse, table setting of a live coffee tree and story of a delicious "complex honey tasting" Costa Rica coffee from Finca Las Lajas. Ultimate Barista David Buehrer, of Greenway Coffee & Tea bowed to tough competition in the Espresso Cocktail Championship by qualifying winner Barista Frank Freeman of Catalina Coffee Shop in Houston, but remained in control to demonstrate brewing perfect espresso and frappe techniques.

Chef Judge Jin Kayadu member of the Professional Chefs Association Houston comments, "It was a lot of fun and I learned a tremendous amount about the coffee industry. I am beginning to see how this industry is a culinary art just as cuisine or baking would be".

UBC Head Judge and event coordinator, Sherri Johns, states, "I am so impressed with the participation and truly talented baristi of Houston. This town is a sleeping giant. I am appreciative of our sponsors who understand the value of UBC and the talent behind the cup. We must support and motivate them. "

Ultimate Barista Sean Marshall the reigning Latte Art Champion garnered a new Mazzer Mini E Grinder from General Espresso Equipment Corporation (GEEC). Espresso Frappe Champion Candace Ward, a Greenway Coffee & Tea Barista, received an incredible prize, the new "Quiet One" Vitamix Blender. Ultimate Barista Finalists each received the Everpure Pentair Water Claris filtration system. All participants received barista gifts from Astoria GEEC, Coffee Talk Magazine, BUNN, Ghirardelli, Routin 1883 Syrups, Espresso Supply Inc., Dr. Smoothie Brands, Boyd Coffee Company, CDN, and Innate. The UBC now goes to Los Angeles for the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo, LA Convention Center, August 14- 16, 2010.
About the Ultimate Barista Challenge�.


The Ultimate Barista Challenge (UBC) � is an open entry competition. Barista enter one to four tasty bouts of coffee and espresso challenges: Espresso Frappe, Latte Art, Espresso Cocktail and Best of Brew Challenges. Baristi who win the qualifying round, face an Ultimate Barista of their choice in a one-on-one dueling Final Challenge of fast-paced espresso excellence. Top scoring barista becomes the Ultimate Barista! UBC certified judges are chefs within the community, coffee and tasting specialists, food writers and others with a penchant for tasting and talking during the judges dialog following each round. The Ultimate Barista Challenge� is owned and produced by WholeCup Coffee Consulting, LLC. With the support of forward thinking sponsors who understand the value of introducing specialty coffee and brewing finesse to the culinary world increasing the overall dining experience and the market for Specialty Coffee. For more information about this cutting edge event, to register, or inquire about available sponsorships, please visit www.ultimatebaristachallenge.com.