Congrats to all the competitors at the 2014 Big Central Regional Barista Championship! From a pool of 16 South Central entrants, and 26 North Central bids, the top 6 for each regional division have now been announced. These baristas – 12 total – represent the first block of eligible competitors destined for the 2014 United States Barista Championship, which happens April 2014 in Seattle, Washington. Let’s meet your first batch of USBC competitors!
North Central Region
First place: Mr. Josh Wismans is your 2014 North Central Regional champion! You can read more about his routine here. Mr. Wismans represents Colectivo Coffee (Milwaukee), and has earned a first-round bye at the USBC, where he’ll be automatically placed in the Round of 18 Semi-Finals. Mr. Wismans has also earned himself a trip to Ecuador courtesy of Cafe Imports! His overall score was 574 points.
Second place: Brenna Kail of Intelligentsia (Chicago) is your 2014 North Central Regional runner-up. Ms. Kail, the store manager at Intelligentsia’s Monadnock location, has also earned a first-round bye at the USBC, where she’ll be automatically placed in the Round of 18 Semi-Finals. Her overall score was 573.5.
Third place: Josh Taves of Dogwood Coffee Company (MPLS) placed third by just two points, with an overall score of 571. Mr. Taves is now eligible to compete in the at-large Round One of the 2014 United States Barista Championship.
Fourth place: Talya Strader of Bow Truss Coffee Roasters (Chicago) placed fourth overall in her region, with a score of 560.5 points. Ms. Strader moves on to compete in the at-large Round One of the 2014 United States Barista Championship.
Fifth place: Sam Brown of Stone Creek Coffee (Milwaukee) placed fifth overall in North Central, finishing with a total score of 556 points. Mr. Brown now moves on to compete in the at-large Round One of the 2014 United States Barista Championship.
Sixth place: Andrew Grassmick of MadCap Coffee Company (Grand Rapids, Michigan) rounds out our Top 6 from the 2014 North Central region. Mr. Grassmick is now eligible to compete at the USBC, in its at-large Round One heat.
South Central Region
First place: Mr. Tyler Rovenstine is your 2014 South Central Regional champion! You can read more about his routine here. Mr. Rovenstine represents Oddly Correct Coffee in Kansas City, Missouri, and has earned himself a first-round bye at the USBC, where he’ll automatically be placed in the Round Of 18 Semi-Finals. Mr. Rovenstine has also earned himself a trip to Ecuador courtesy of Cafe Imports! His overall score was 601.5 points.
Second place: David Fasman of Kaldi’s Coffee is your 2014 South Central Regional runner-up. Mr. Fasman, a barista and educator for Kaldi’s in St. Louis, has also earned a first-round bye at the USBC, where he’ll be automatically placed in the Round of 18 Semi-Finals. His overall score was 578 points.
Third Place: Patrick Burns of Palace Coffee Company (Canyon, TX) placed third overall in the South Central, with an overall score of 558 points. Mr Burns is now eligible to compete int eh at-large Round One at the 2014 United States Barista Championship.
Fourth place: Mike Marquard of Blueprint Coffee (St. Louis) placed fourth overall in South Central, with a score of 552 points. Mr. Marquard moves on to compete nationally at the 2014 USBC in Seattle, where he’ll be eligible for Round One’s at-large action.
Fifth place: David Buehrer of Blacksmith Coffee (Houston) place fifth overall in his division, with a score of 537.5 points. Mr. Buehrer is now eligible to compete at the 2014 United States Barista Championship.
Sixth place: Nora Brady of Blueprint Coffee (St. Louis) rounds out our South Central competitors, with a score of 537 points. Ms. Brady advances to eligibility at Round One of the 2014 USBC, in Seattle, Washington.
Sprudge.com’s coverage of the 2014 Big Central made possible by direct support from Cafe Imports and Wilbur Curtis Co.
Our 2014 competition coverage is anchored by Nuova Simoenlli.