One of the largest takeaways from the 2019 US Coffee Championship season was the breakout success of Glitter Cat. The barista bootcamp created by two-time US Barista Championship finalist T. Ben Fischer that focuses on providing training and resources to under-represented groups in coffee competition placed two competitors into the 2019 USBC Finals with a third, first-timer Anthony Ragler, just a whisper away from making the final six. The Glitter Cat baristas were northing short of a force to be reckoned with in 2019, and 2020 looks to be no different.
Now in its second year, the Glitter Cat Barista Bootcamp has expanded beyond just the Barista Championship to include the Brewers Cup, Coffee in Good Spirits, and Roasters Competition. And applications are now open!
Taking place throughout October and November of this year, each of the four disciplines will have a dedicated, all-expenses paid two-and-a-half day bootcamp, instructed by both last year’s US champion and a Head Judge from that event. The schedule is as follows:
Roasters Bootcamp
October 25-26th, 2019
Mill City Roasters in Minneapolis, MN
2019 United States Roasters Champion Shelby Williamson and 2019 United States Cup Tasters Champion Jen Apodaca instructing
Barista Bootcamp
November 2-4, 2019
Dillano’s Coffee Roasters in Sumner, Washington
2019 United States Barista Champion Samantha Spillman instructing
Brewers Bootcamp
November 16-18th, 2019
Work Bench Coffee Labs in Kansas City
2019 United States Brewers Cup Champion Kaley Gann instructing
Coffee In Good Spirits Bootcamp
November 23-25th, 2019
Kohi Coffee in Provincetown, MA
2019 Coffee in Good Spirits Champion Matt Foster instructing
Fischer tells Sprudge:
I’m pretty dang excited for the 2020 season. 2019 was filled with ideas, growth, mistakes, and a development of a program that had a foggy yet fabulous future. After the glitter settled from last year, I got to sit down, journal, and truly think about where Glitter Cat was and where it could grow. We wanted to expand access but make sure that Glitter Cats were getting plenty of individual instruction and follow-up help. We also wanted to make sure that the positive impact was felt across the whole competition scene. The best way for us to do this was to expand to three other competitions and have four bootcamps with limited to ten participants each.
As with the inaugural barista bootcamp, Glitter Cat is seeking coffee professionals with varying levels of experience “who identify as part of a marginalized community,” including but not limited to “LGBTQIA+, womxn, racial/ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities.” Applications will be accepted through the 15th of August and can be made via the Glitter Cat website.
For more information about Glitter Cat Bootcamp, the 2020 curriculum, or to apply, visit Glitter Cat’s official website. And make sure you have a Twitter account. When you’re climbing the ranks through the First Round, then the Semis, and ultimately into the Finals, you’re going to want to know every time Sprudge Live live-tweets your name.
Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.
