2nd Annual Hawaiian Barista Jam & Competition hosted at the 11th Annual Hawaii Coffee Association Conference & Trade Show

Kauai Hawaii (July 28, 2006) The HCA’s 2006 Hawaiian Barista Jam & Competition was held July 18 - 20, 2006 at the HCA Conference & Trade Show at the Kauai Beach Hotel and Resort in Lihue, Kauai Hawaii. Twenty-two passionate Hawaii coffee farmers, roasters and budding baristi from Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island attended the 3 day event to learn about proper espresso making techniques, cupping and blending pure Hawaiian coffees for espresso, latte art, equipment knowledge and to gain valuable insight into the profession of a barista.  Billy Wilson, current 2006 USBC Runner-Up and 2005 Regional Latte Art Champion, demonstrated amazing latte art and a “mock barista competition” for all.

Sherri Johns, HBJ Event Coordinator, instructor and Head Judge sums the incredible experience nicely by saying, “the HCA jam presented a fantastic opportunity for coffee farmers and baristi to come together and learn. Hawaii presents a unique opportunity in coffee, with a culture of farming and new quality cafes entering the scene.” Heidi Wild, Marketing Consultant for HCA said “the event exceeded our association expectations and has grown since last year’s jam”.

In conjunction with the jam, a barista competition was featured on the third day of rigorous training sessions. Tampers flew and coffee brewed as competing baristi prepared 4 espresso, 4 cappuccino and 4 signature drinks for a panel of 6 judges, including 2006 USBC Runner-Up, Billy Wilson and 2005 HBJ Champion Chester Huan. The 2005 HBJ Jam Champion Chester Huan of Aloha Center Café, Pacific Beach Hotel presented a beautiful plaque, a coveted engraved tamper from Reg Barber and gift bag to newly crowned Barista Champion, Anni Caporuscio of Small Town Coffee Company, Kapa’a, Kauai. HBJ Event Coordinator, WholeCup Coffee Consulting, LLC ensured the facilitation of the Hawaii Barista Jam Competition was in accordance with all current national and international barista competition rules to assist today’s baristi prepare for national and international competitions.

Champion Anni Caporuscio (center), Bryce Tanji (right) and Seigsi Saigusa (left), 2006 Hawaii Barista Jam Competition Awards Ceremony.

Special thanks to our host: Hawaii Coffee Association and our Sponsors; Starbucks, State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Tourism Authority – Kauai, Diedrich Manufacturing ,Inc., Espresso Specialist, Inc. A Franke Company, Reg Barber Tampers, DaVinci Gourmet, Greenwell Farms, Mountain Thunder, Maui Oma Coffee Roasting Co., Schooler Farms.

Congratulations to all participants who will continue to grow, learn and shape Hawaii’s Specialty Coffee future!  

2006 Hawaiian Barista Jam Competition Results

1st place - Anni Caporuscio from Small Town Coffee, Kapa’a/Kauai - 558.50

2nd place - Bryce Tanji from Kimo Bean Coffee Company, Oahu - 457.50

3rd place - Seishi Saegusa from  Ueshima Coffee (UCC), Kona - 437.50

See you all in future barista jams in the USA and around the world!

For any additional information regarding this event please contact: Danny Johns, event coordinator, WholeCup Coffee, 503-232-1016, email: djohnswholecup@aol.com

….or go to the website: www.hawaiicoffeeassoc.org. For further information on jams and competitions and how your company can get involved, contact WholeCup Coffee.

Mahalo nui loa!