A whole nation of baristas, can you even imagine? Well, that’s not happening. But what is happening this week in New York City is Barista Nation, an industry-focus mix of seminars and skill-building workshops.
Now in its sixth year, Barista Nation is taking place on Thursday, May 4th at Shop Studios and will provide attendees a ton of chances for hands-on experiences as well as the opportunity to sit in on talks from industry leaders. Talks will include “Tales from Opposite Sides of the Clipboard,” a panel of top barista competitors and judges telling stories and providing insight from their unique experiences. Emceed by Lorenzo Perkins and 2016 US Barista Champion Lem Butler, the panel will include newly crowned US Barista Champion Kyle Ramage in his first appearance since the win, perennial USBC Finalist Sam Lewontin, and WBC and USBC head judges Michael McCauley and Brent Hall, respectively.
There will also be a panel on “The Future of Intersectionality,” featuring Olivia Miles (Royal Coffee), D’Onna LeSean (Counter Culture), Scout Rose (Joe Coffee), and Anna Gutierrez (Barista 22). The discussion will be moderated by Sarah Allen of Barista Magazine and BGA Executive Council member Liz Dean of Irving Farm Coffee Roasters.
Other events include an alternative milk throwdown, with the winner taking home a Compak E5 grinder, and a keynote address from Gregory Zamfotis of Gregory’s Coffee on “Keeping Up with the Pace of Innovation.”
Attending Barista Nation is technically free, but they are asking for a $10 suggested donation to go to CARE, the Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere. Tickets can be purchased via the Barista Nation Eventbrite page, and more information can be found on their official website.
Zac Cadwalader is the news editor at Sprudge Media Network.
*top image via Barista Nation
