The Ultimate Barista Challenge Usa In Los Angeles At The Wfhe

The Ultimate Barista Challenge� USA was once again featured at the Western Foodservice and Hospitality Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center, August 18 - 20, 2007 with 15,000 attendees. The Ultimate Barista Challenge (UBC) consists of four tasty bouts of coffee and espresso challenges: Espresso Frappe, Latte Art, Espresso Cocktails and Best of Brew. Baristi enter and compete in a qualifying round and those who win go on to challenge a designated Ultimate Barista to compete against, in a one-on-one dueling contest of fast-paced espresso excellence. "The UBC is designed to educate, entertain and inspire!" exclaims its creator, Sherri Johns of WholeCup Coffee Consulting, Portland, Oregon.

This year, barista Janelle Bel Isle of Kean Coffee in Newport Beach, CA, won the Latte Art qualifying round, setting off a final showdown with reigning champion Ultimate Barista Ryan Dennhardt, and owner of Barista's Daily Grind in Kearny, Nebraska. Judges commented on the visual quality of both barista's latte art and finesse on bar, but it was Dennhardt who maintained his undefeated status in the Latte Art Challenge.

In the Espresso Frappe Challenge, Mike Richardson, also of Kean Coffee in Newport Beach, challenged an International Guest Barista from Brazil, Eder Ferreira Delfino of Havannah Caf�, Sao Paulo. Richardson made it to the finals and got to choose between Ultimate Baristi Heather Perry and Ryan Dennhardt. He selected Heather Perry (the two-time National Barista Champion, 2003 and 2007, and Runner Up 2007 International Barista Championship) for the delicious final challenge but Perry prevailed and took home the coveted UBC medal.

During the Best of Brew and Espresso Cocktail Challenges, Richardson selected Dennhardt to try and out-score, but Dennhardt brewed his way to stay on top securing both medals! "The cocktail challenge was the closest I've seen of upsetting any Ultimate Barista" noted Johns. "With only a 7 point spread, Mike almost did it. I am sure we'll see him come back even stronger next year."

In an exciting, first-time special event in the Latte Art Challenge, Ultimate Barista USA Dennhardt went group-head-to-group-head with Brazil Challenger and National Latte Art Champion, Delfino. It was close, but again, Dennhardt retained his UBC Latte Art medal in this first International Barista Challenge!

Gathered on the esteemed judges' panel were Ian Knapp, a water scientist from Intrusol; Gary Horne, GEEC and espresso equipment specialist; Andrea Ramirez of Torani; special guest Cliff Young, coffee roaster and IE Coffee Radio Show, from Hawaii; Andrew Hetzel, Coffee Consultant of Caf� Makers and Head Judge and coffee specialist Sherri Johns. Danny Johns, who served as Master of Ceremonies and event coordinator, invited everyone to "Join us for faster paced espresso action in the next Ultimate Barista Challenge during the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show September 7 - 9, 2007, at the Orange Country Convention Center!"

The Ultimate Barista Challenge� is owned and produced by WholeCup Coffee Consulting, LLC, and endorsed by the NCA, National Coffee Association of America. The UBC is sponsored by Astoria Espresso Machines; GEEC; BUNN; Torani; Vita Mix; Boyd Coffee Company; Intrusol; Reg Barber; Pallo; thecafeguide.com and Hospitality News. For more info, to register, or inquire about available sponsorships, please visit www.ultimatebaristachallenge.com or call 1-503-232-1016.

The Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo is produced by Reed Exhibition and sponsored by the California Restaurant Association. Reed Exhibitions is the world's leading exhibition and conference organizer with 2,300 employees in 33 offices serving 52 industries worldwide. For more information visit westernfoodexpo.com or call toll free 800-840-5612.