Cherry Roast, Denver’s premiere barista competition for “womxn, gender queer, non binary, [gender nonconforming], and trans folx,” is back! Now in its fourth year, Cherry Roast is returning for another round of inclusivity-forward coffee competing on November 12th at Copper Door Coffee.
Started by Amethyst Coffee’s Elle Jensen, Cherry Roast is a “chance to experience barista competition in a safe space” for “all women, transmasculine, genderqueer, and gender nonconforming baristas of all skill levels,” as Sprudge contributor Ben Wiese described it from his coverage of the 2017 event. Cherry Roast works a little differently than most barista competitions; it puts baristas through four rounds of multi-disciplinary rigmarole that includes triangulation, brewing, latte art, dialing in, order fulfillment, and signature drinks. And while details of what exactly the 2018 event entails, organizers are promising “a more organized, less rowdy (but still ‘party-forward’), more inclusive, cleaned up version of our favorite coffee competition,” per the Instagram post announcing the event.
If this sounds like the sort of ringer you’d like to be run through, Cherry Roast is currently accepting registration. Interested parties simply need to email CherryRoast@gmail.com with their name, preferred pronoun, and employer to get signed up. The cost to compete is $20—and here’s the cool part—but the fee will be sponsored by co-organizer Breezy Sanchez for anyone that provide evidence of an active voter registration (I don’t think we need to rehash how important the upcoming elections are). But for those without proof of registration or who just want to chip in, all proceeds are being donated to the Milkrose Coffee Farm.
Details about Cherry Roast 2018 are still being rolled out, so to stay informed, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Zac Cadwalader is the news editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.
Top image via Cherry Roast