The New Champ!

08-03_GLRBC_0093
Originally uploaded by Intelligentsia Coffee.

Mike Phillips is the newly crowned 2008 Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition champion. I don’t know him too well, but I regard him as a really cool guy. It is truly fantastic to see him represents Intelligentsia and the Great Lakes Region at the US Barista Competition in May.

2008 GLRBC

This year is my first time not going to be inspired and awed by watching my favorite baristi compete at the Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition (GLRBC) in Milwaukee, because I have something else planned for the weekend.

Steve-O!

Steve Fritzen
Originally uploaded by Spinnaker007.

I had a quick chat with Steve from Coffee Hound a couple of days ago, also to congratulate his top finish at the 2007 Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition. Steve is helluva great guy and he always wears a smile. On the phone, he told me the point difference between 1st place and 3rd place finish is merely 23 points, and Steve’s 3rd place score almost matches the top score from last year’s United States Barista Championship (USBC). Matt, Amber, and Steve, this trio is going to be hard to beat at the 2007 USBC in Long Beach this May. I see one from Western Regional (Kyle G.) and 2 from Pacific North West join the hunt for the national title…