SEATTLE, Wash. U.S.A. (June 28, 2004)---The 2004 United States Barista Champion, 26-year-old Bronwen Serna from Hines Public Market Coffee in Seattle, Wash., will be honored on Wednesday, July 7 at 10 a.m. in a special ceremony with Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and representatives from the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) and Hines Public Market Coffee.

Serna recently won the coveted U.S. Barista Championship title from the Specialty Coffee Association’s national competition in Atlanta last April. Following the competition, Serna spent the month of June in Trieste, Italy for the World Barista Championships, where she placed 13th worldwide. Seattle’s Honorable Mayor Greg Nickels will make a special presentation to Serna on July 7, celebrating her U.S. Championship win and recognizing Seattle’s love affair with specialty coffee. Nickels will also officially declare July 7 as Seattle Barista Day in honor of the professionalism and service provided by talented baristas like Serna.

WHO:
2004 United States Barista Champion Bronwen Serna; Mayor of Seattle Greg Nickels; The Specialty Coffee Association of America; and Hines Public Market Coffee.

WHAT:
2004 United States Barista Champion honored by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and the Specialty Coffee Association of America. July 7 officially recognized as Seattle Barista Day. 2004 U.S. Barista Champion Bronwen Serna showcases her skills by pulling a winning shot of her espresso for the Mayor on a top-of-the-line espresso machine --- the largest in the U.S. --- at Hines Public Market Coffee.

WHEN/WHERE:
Wednesday, July 7, 10 a.m. sharp; Hines Public Market Coffee, 2243 Eastlake Ave. E., Seattle

DETAILS:
10 a.m. - Welcome and opening remarks about Barista Champion from the Specialty Coffee Association of America's Chief Communications Officer Mike Ferguson

10:10 a.m. - Mayor of Seattle Greg Nickels' presentation to Bronwen Serna, 2004 U.S. Barista Champion, and declaration of Seattle Barista Day, July 7.

10:20 a.m. - Bronwen Serna pulls a winning shot of espresso for the mayor and demonstrates her blue ribbon skills

10:30 a.m. - Specialty coffee drinks --- courtesy of Hines Public Market Coffee --- served to the Mayor and guests to toast the 2004 U.S. Barista Champion.

10:40 a.m. - One-on-one interviews available

BACKGROUND:
Baristas are those talented people who master espresso machines and make coffee and espresso drink-making a profession. According to SCAA, there are an estimated 140,000 baristas in the U.S. The SCAA's U.S. Barista Championship encourages and recognizes professional achievement in the art and skill of espresso beverage preparation and service. SCAA is the world's largest coffee trade association with over 2,800 member companies.

Next year, the specialty coffee industry will converge on Seattle, April 15 - 18, 2005, for the SCAA's Annual Conference & Exhibition. Over 8,000 specialty coffee professionals and enthusiasts will attend and more than 800 exhibit booths will feature the latest coffee products and services. It's the largest coffee gathering in the world. The event will also feature the 2005 World Barista Championships.

According to the Specialty Coffee Association of America, the U.S. city with the most coffeehouses is Seattle.


Contact:
Aaron Kiel
For SCAA
562-983-8113

Marianne Bichsel
Seattle Mayor's Office
206-684-8878


About the SCAA
Founded in 1982, SCAA is the world's largest coffee trade association
with over 2,500 member companies. SCAA members are located in over
40 countries and represent every segment of the specialty coffee industry,
from coffee growers to coffee roasters and retailers. The SCAA's mission
is to be the recognized authority on specialty coffee, providing a common forum for the development and promotion of coffee excellence and sustainability. The SCAA's dedication to excellence in coffee is realized through the setting of quality standards for the industry; conducting research on coffee, equipment and perfection of craft; and providing education, training, resources and business services for members. The SCAA's annual conference is held in a different U.S. city each year and is the coffee industry's largest gathering and exhibition.