Next weekend, the Big Central Barista competition goes down here in the Twin Cities. Anyone going?

I am time keeping the preliminary brewers' cup competition on Friday. Let me know if anyone plans on attending and wishes to meet up. 12p-6p.

Why attend? It is being held at the Uppercut Gym, a woman owned boxing club. Andrew Zimmern will have his food truck there. I will have cigars -- that's 3 reasons.

http://www.usbaristachampionship.org/?p=bigcentral and
http://uppercutgym.com/

BoldJava

Here is some clown timekeeping at the prelim's for the Brewers' Cup. Couldn't hear all that well -- think someone said his name was OldJava. <grins>

1) 20 entrants. Stunned that only one had a Takahiro.
2) Rest were mainly using Harios and Bonavitas kettles. No Kalita kettles.
3) Two gents used aeropresses!
4) Most set-ups were, in order: Kalitas (smalls), various sized Chemex, Harios, and Beehouse!
5) All pour and stop. 3 cups were prepared. They have to keep all at the same temp.
6) 5 minute setup time; 7 minute prep time.


My takeaway?
* I will play with start and stop brewing and compare it against my continuous pour. Time I re-test that.
* Virtually all of them do a circular pour from the middle, working out, staying well away from the edges.
* Kalita small filters stink. Two entrants had the walls continually collapsing and had to start over after pre-wetting. Nice to see my bias confirmed.

Excellent coverage of the 'spro competition from Sprudge, http://sprudge.com/best-day-one-big-central.html