BRB Senior Member Joined: 14 May 2004 Posts: 29 Location: Victoria, B.C. Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: La Pavoni PUB Automatic Grinder: built in Drip: Bunn
Posted Sat Jun 12, 2004, 4:40pm Subject: Re: Photo Essay - Canadian Coffee & Tea Expo, Road Reports
Nice shots!
I was there. The atmosphere was energetic, the lighting good and the machines were enticing. I got to taste Black Cat on a LM!
Disappointment struck when I inquired about the Silvia/Rocky giveaway: apparently they were raffled off earlier in the morning as opposed to the end of the show on Sunday. If that is the way it went down, it was not cool. That's like advertsing free shots if you come on down only to find that you came too late without knowing of a time limitaion! What's up with that?
Also, it would have been nice if there were opportunities to purchase small quantities of beans to try at home (or in business).
MarkPrince Moderator Joined: 19 Dec 2001 Posts: 4,668 Location: Vancouver Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Frankenstein'ed LM Linea Grinder: Anfim Super Caimano Vac Pot: 1922 Silex Drip: Krups Moka Brew Roaster: Hottop
Posted Sat Jun 12, 2004, 11:31pm Subject: Re: Photo Essay - Canadian Coffee & Tea Expo, Road Reports
BRB Said:
Disappointment struck when I inquired about the Silvia/Rocky giveaway: apparently they were raffled off earlier in the morning as opposed to the end of the show on Sunday. If that is the way it went down, it was not cool. That's like advertsing free shots if you come on down only to find that you came too late without knowing of a time limitaion! What's up with that?
Just FYI - the silvia / rocky combo was specifically for my espresso lab - it was given away at the end of the lab. sorry if I wasn't more clear on that.
A fella by the name of David Fox won the setup! Very cool!
One of my tampers went missing though, I'm bit bummed about that because it was a one of a kind... :(
Posted Sun Jun 13, 2004, 11:51am Subject: Re: Photo Essay - Canadian Coffee & Tea Expo, Road Reports
Jeanette Chan, our news editor is an entrant in this year's Canadian Barista Championship (CBC) - she's scheduled to compete at 12:30 on Saturday, June 12 - make sure you come to cheer her on.
Mark Prince is a judge in the CBC and seminar presenter at this year's show; he's also walking the floor, checking out new products and wares.
At last summers first annual barista championship, in Victoria, one of the judges had an employee participating in the competition. The judges employee won the championship. Oddly, the finals were held in the employees and judges place of employment. Now, help me out with this. Are there not rules about friends and families participating under these circumstances? I know that these events are all in good fun, but I cannot help but imagine that some people would be put off by these irregularities.
I guess, in the case above, Mark would abstain from aspects or portions of the judging process during Jeanettes run.
Posted Sun Jun 13, 2004, 3:36pm Subject: Re: Photo Essay - Canadian Coffee & Tea Expo, Road Reports
I'm sure he can speak for himself - but I believe that Mark was a judge for the finals only on Sat. I missed Jeanette's performance, but I was told that it was well received and highly scored (i did see her get applause!). Unfortunately she just missed the top six. Not sure how they would have handled the situation if Mark was involved in judging her or her competitors but I am confident that Mark would have made sure it not only looked fair, but was fair.
BTW - attended the espresso lab - it was one of the best events of the whole trade show. And it was very well organised and presented, especially considering that it was a first time event and that some of the machines were late arrivals. Alas I did not win the Rocky or Silvia, and my attempts to "buy" all the remaining spots in the lab so I could be ensured of a win were rebuffed at the registration desk. Next year I may work out a system of Multiple wardrobe changes and disguises to ensure success.
True -- from my conversation with "raymond" from Caffe Fantastico, Victoria (who came in 6th), there was no impropriety. I understand that Zak (Zoltan) came in 5th, Sammy Piccolo came in first.. Baristi from JJ Bean and a Cafe in North Van placed highly.
I absolutely do not wish to suggest that anything inappropriate is (or was) going on. I am just curious about appearances and the rules.
MarkPrince Moderator Joined: 19 Dec 2001 Posts: 4,668 Location: Vancouver Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Frankenstein'ed LM Linea Grinder: Anfim Super Caimano Vac Pot: 1922 Silex Drip: Krups Moka Brew Roaster: Hottop
Posted Sun Jun 13, 2004, 5:19pm Subject: Re: Photo Essay - Canadian Coffee & Tea Expo, Road Reports
At this level of competition, and especially with Sherri Johns running things, there is no worry about issues of favourtism.
a) JJ's crew went Friday; John Neate, a USBC certified judge, did not judge that day b) Artigiano's crew went Saturday - Vince Piccolo, also a USBC certified judge did not judge on Saturday's prelim
Also, since I judged Friday, and also because a) I had my espresso lab on Saturday which conflicted with the Saturday prelim, and b) Jeanette went Saturday at 12:15 in the prelim, I didn't judge Saturday morning.
I was a sensory judge for the finals Saturday afternoon; both Neate and Piccolo were excluded because they each had 2 baristi in the finals. IF Jeanette had made it to the finals as well, plans were in the works for another judge to sub for me.
Also to be fair - I've seen some of the scoring sheets. Vince was very even and fair with the JJ Crew (in fact, he had them in the top three in his round), and I heard that Neate was equally impartial in his judging round. Sammy and Zack finished 1-2 in the morning, I believe.
I give credit to both of those guys. I have no fear that they would remain completely impartial even if they were jduging their own crews.
geek Senior Member Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Posts: 75 Location: Vancouver, Canada Expertise: Professional
Espresso: LM Mistral Grinder: Anfim Super Caimano Roaster: 49th Parallel
Posted Mon Jun 14, 2004, 3:50pm Subject: Re: Photo Essay - Canadian Coffee & Tea Expo, Road Reports
rnewell Said:
True -- from my conversation with "raymond" from Caffe Fantastico, Victoria (who came in 6th), there was no impropriety. I understand that Zak (Zoltan) came in 5th, Sammy Piccolo came in first.. Baristi from JJ Bean and a Cafe in North Van placed highly.
I absolutely do not wish to suggest that anything inappropriate is (or was) going on. I am just curious about appearances and the rules.
I believe that your 6th place is correct, the guy from North Van was 5th, Zlatan Lavic was 4th, Angie Lof from JJ Bean was 3rd, Nikkie Schulz (nee Neate) was 2nd and Sammy Piccolo was first.
Please excuse any misspellings, I didn't really get to read their names... and most were mispronounced when announced.
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