Milwaukee Specialty Food and Coffee

Video: I Know Someone Famous!

The barista in this this YouTube video is none other than the daughter of Mrs. Gregory, my beloved high school English teacher.  If I'm not mistaken, she (the actress) accompanied her Mom on a trip to England and France in 1990 that I was also on.  So, I know someone famous (kinda).

Video: Stone Creek's YouTube Channel

Stone Creek Coffee has a YouTube channel here.  It features a great cupping video, as well as a video of a Rock-It Latte being made.  That's a drink I don't quite see the appeal of, but props to them for putting their espresso drink preparation out there for all the world to see (I'll have to time the shots later and report back, heh) and for making the drink in a ceramic mug! 

Starbucks Eats Humble Pie

Last Wednesday The NewsHour With Jim Lehrer aired a report about Starbucks’ recent sales and stock woes on the heels of the announcement that the java corp would be closing 600 stores.

While the report is riddled with tired coffee metaphors, it's still worth watching the streaming video for a glimpse of CEO Howard Schultz's meek and modest address to stockholders.

Link

Ireland's Stephen Morrissey Takes 2008 Barista Crown

The World Barista Championship wrapped up yesterday, with Stephen Morrissey of Ireland taking top honors. Through my maternal great-great-grandmother, my ancestry includes the Irish clan of Morrissey, so there's really only one thing to say: Eireann go Brach!

The WBC website had been live streaming the competition all weekend, but, because of the 7 hour difference between Milwaukee and Copenhagen, I was not insane enough to rouse myself in the wee hours of the morn to watch the finals live, especially after having a bit too much fun the night before. However I did watch every single one of the video archived performances and was mightily impressed, not to mention filled with a mad craving for a good cappuccino.

The competition has become evermore sophisticated and intense since its inauguration in Monte Carlo in 2000. The best baristas are expected to not only pull fantastic espresso shots and create interesting and pleasing signature drinks, but know their coffee inside and out by working with producers and roasters. All competitors must choose and provide music for their presentations, bring their own equipment--with the exception of the espresso bar--and find a way to finance their own travel through sponsorship, making it a huge investment.

The six finalists of 2008 strutted their stuff for the judges, presenting the same well-practiced performances from the previous days of competition and finishing under 15 minutes. In the end, it was the soft-spoken Irishman who was crowned King of the Baristas, followed closely by Australia's David Makin. The only woman to make the finals, Liesbeth Sleijster of Netherlands, came in third, with Sweden's Daniel Remheden, Michael Yung of Canada and host country favorite Soren Stiller Markussen rounding out the top six.

A word regarding Canada's Michael Yung: In an an excellent show of professionalism under the stress of finals competition, Yung very calmly explained to the judges that he would be using pulled espresso shots for his signature drink when an unexpected snafu with a butane burner rendered his siphon inoperative. Well done, sir.

You can watch all of the competition presentations from over the weekend, including all six final presentations and the overly wordy winners announcement, here. For some unfortunate reason, Stephen Morrissey's and Liesbeth Sleijster's performances got split up, so be sure to watch both videos for each.

On a side note, I suggest you take a gander at the presentation by Uganda's Peter Musana. As the first barista to represent Uganda at the WBC, his performance was truly inspiring--and he sported an awesome monkey apron!

World Barista Championship Live

Espresso fools from 'round the world have gathered in Copenhagen, Denmark for the World Barista Championship, which kicked-off yesterday. The WBC site is live streaming the competition but the real draw is the ongoing chitchat below--hilarious!

With just 15 minutes to impress the judges, the baristas are pulling out all the stops.

Link (For the live stream, mind the time delay--Copenhagen is 7 hours ahead of US CT.)

Coffee Nerds at Intelligentsia, Part 2

The folks over at Boing Boing have posted Part 2 of Mark Frauenfelder’s visit to Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea's roasting facility in Los Angeles. Kyle Glanville takes him through the process of making the perfect espresso with Mark’s own machine and gives a step-by-step tutorial in brewing with a vacuum pot.

Watch a super cool coffee nerd in action.

Tour of Intelligentsia in LA

Today's episode of Boing Boing TV features a tour of Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea's roasting facility in Los Angeles. Mark Frauenfelder interviews Kyle Glanville, head of research and development, and is guided through the roasting process by Deaton Pigot, roaster and quality control specialist.

This is only part 1, so be sure to head back to Boing Boing for the second half when they get around to posting it.

Link

Chicago: Intelligentsia Millenium Park Video

Wildlife Art with BBQ Sauce

Hmm... Edible finger paint art.

Be sure to turn up the volume 'cause the bluegrass soundtrack is kick-ass.

Link (via Boing Boing and Web Zen)

Witness the Coffee Nightmare of 1963

This guy never left Mommy. *shudder*

Please pick up your phone right now, call your mother and/or grandmother and say, "Finally, I understand. I'm sorry--I'm just so sorry."

Link (via Boing Boing)