Are you a barista looking to get a little more out of your coffee career? Maybe you feel a little stuck and aren’t quite sure where, or to whom, to turn for guidance. If that sounds at all familiar, then perhaps it’s time for you to Level Up. Presented by Raise The Bar, Level Up is a three-day for working baristas who are looking to learn more about the craft while becoming part of the broader community, and registration for the event is now open.
Level Up is the inaugural event by Raise The Bar, a new barista-focused organization from industry vets Rachel Apple, Ivana Chan, and Sandra Loofbourow. Drawing from their combined 50 years experience, Raise The Bar creates “inclusive, hands-on learning environments for baristas,” promoting “fair pay, open access, and building long-term infrastructure for equity in coffee.”
Taking place September 27th through 29th at Mill City Roasters in Minneapolis, Level Up combines foundational skills classes, workshops, public cafe service, and other gatherings for an “immersive event” that is part sleepaway camp and part learning experience. Events will be led by renown industry veterans, including Mogran Eckroth, Laila Ghambari, Kat Melheim, Lauren Lathrop, Ever Meister, Nathanael May, Erica Escalante, Carly Green, Jaymie Lao, John Dixon, Kristina Hollie, Alexandra Littlejohn, and more.
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There are a total of 80 spots available for the first Level Up event. Tickets cover lodging, food, local transportation, as well as all educational events, and range from $550 to $750, depending upon if you want to stay in a shared or a private room. Travel must be booked separately. To help those unable to pay their way, Raise The Bar has set up a scholarship that offers discount tickets that will cover everything except for travel and lodging. Scholarship applications will be reviewed by the Board of Advisors and will be prioritized based on need.
For those not attending but still wanting to get involved, there are donation opportunities that held fund “scholarships, fair pay for educators, and a space where baristas can grow, connect, and thrive.” It also earns you a raffle entry for a host of prizes from Timemore, Acaia, and Black & White Coffee.
Registration for Level Up is open now. For more information on the event and to register or apply for a scholarship, visit Raise The Bar’s official website.
Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.
