Barista Camp 2015
I’m just back from Riccione from the 2nd Barista Guild of Europe (BGE) Barista Camp (run in association with the SCAE) and I’m already missing everybody! Barista Camp is an event where ASTs from around Europe come together to run Coffee Diploma System (CDS) courses for baristas of all standards. From the basic introductory Foundation level courses to Intermediate courses for those who are looking to elevate their knowledge and skills to the next level, Barista camp has something for everyone.
Over 4 intense days, the training team ran classes & lectures in the attendees selected discipline to develop the Barista’s knowledge and skill base. You can see all of the different course option HERE and I was involved in teaching the Barista Intermediate level course that was being led by Simon James from Genovese Coffee in Melbourne, Australia. Over the 4 days we taught approximately 30 students everything from how to identify origin, process & taste to how to identify correct extraction & EBF (Espresso brew formula) to learning how to understand extraction & brewing of espresso. The course also included further trainings on milk techniques & latte art as well as a focus on how to set up & run your own coffee shop.
Each afternoon lectures for the whole Barista Camp took place from experts such as Scott Rao, who spoke about refractometers & extraction measurement, Andrew Tolley (co-founder of Taylor St Baristas), who talked all about the Speciality Coffee industry – how to make a speciality coffee shop work (i.e. make a profit!) and, my good friend, Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood, from Colonna & Smalls, who soaked us in knowledge of his theory of water chemistry and its impact on coffee flavour. Maxwell’s recently published book on the topic is really worth reading and you can find it HERE.
A special shout out has to go to the handsome Tim Sturk from BaxterStorey who was the AST (Authorised SCAE Trainer) Coordinator who put together an amazing team that worked brilliantly together over the 4 days with one clear purpose “it’s all about the Baristas.” Also a big hug to my dear Annemarie Tiemes (Educational Field Manager of the SCAE) who is always there and always willing to help.
Once the formal daytime activities had finished everyone reconvened for a fantastic traditional Italian buffet dinner in the restaurant in the hotel and then it was onto organised social events like team challenges such as a blind latte art championship (where I was one of the judges) & a beer tasting competition. We also partied by the pool and La Marzocco sponsored a great party at Coffee Box in Riccione.
Without the help of a brilliant line up sponsors Barista Camp would not be possible. In our Barista training room attendees got to practice & play with some of the best coffee equipment available on the market. So a special thank you to Simonelli for the Black Eagle, La Marzocco for beautiful Linea PB also to Wega, San Remo & Dalla Corte who also provided top of the range espresso machines. And not forgetting our brilliant grinders supplied by Mahlkoenig & Anfim. My equipment highlight was getting to use the amazing Acaia Lunar, the next level of Barista weighing scales and really a thing of beauty!
Barista Camp, once again, proved to be an unforgettable experience, where the coffee community came together to deliver a brilliant standard of education and share information with one another to ensure that we are all constantly learning. Meeting new people that share my passion for coffee always invigorates me and helps me remember why the coffee industry is the best (and friendliest) industry in the world! To all that took part in Barista Camp 2015 I want to say a massive grazie mille & I look forward to seeing you all again next year at Barista Camp 2016!
Until Next Time,
Vini.
