Those are some straight up beautiful setups. I like how everyone keeps it classy but simple. Thanks for the shots Mark, and thanks to all those baristi for putting those together.
I guess what would be interesting is if we could get some attendees or some of the informed crowd to break down what i am looking at... sure I get the tamper...the cups...the bar towels...water....but outside of that... i am having sensory overload trying to understand what is what when I look at some of those photos... very cool pics though... would love to dissect what I am looking at though... THX MARK
DOM...evil genius ...Up to no good in espresso at all times... VIVA la parts de Espresso
This photo essay is primarily geared towards the pro baristi who want to see the kinds of setups that existed at the show.
I wish I could have gotten the chance or the time to sit down with all the Baristi and get comments from them, but time constraints, the wont for Baristi to keep their preps close to their chest, and my role as a judge (no extended fraternizing with the competitors while competition was going on) prevented it.
I guess what would be interesting is if we could get some attendees or some of the informed crowd to break down what i am looking at... sure I get the tamper...the cups...the bar towels...water....but outside of that... i am having sensory overload trying to understand what is what when I look at some of those photos... very cool pics though... would love to dissect what I am looking at though... THX MARK
Well, as a competitor, I'd have to tell you first and foremost that it would probably not be cool to reveal too much about other baristi's setups, at least without their permission.
I can generalize with this though: you see the standard stuff (as you mentioned): tamper, espresso cups, cappuccino cups, water glasses & pitchers, espresso beans, spoons... everything else is either related to a centerpiece (sugar, plants, etc.) or to the specialty drink.
I can certainly describe my personal setup, #14 in the list of images. Left to right: sake set that I ended up not using, wisk for specialty drink, measuring cups, whipped cream "chargers," menu clips for individual menus presented to the judges, cappuccino cups (from Pottery Barn... needed something between 4-6 ounces), 4 7/8oz shot glasses (just for practice and setup), illy nude espresso cups (a bit controversial for sure) pitchers, water glasses, jar of Korean ginger/honey tea, big container of special shaved dark chocolate mix, both for the specialty drink.
I sure did Billy. It's going to be in the series of photos I post from the finals. I got several of them... on your bar, as you carried it over, as you presented it.
They're 3.5mb each in the origiinal form. It might be better if I cut a CD and give you the images when I head down to Portland.
BTW guy, you did awesome, I hope you know that. You were very consistent during your three performances, and you put balls to the wall with your single origin drink as a sig in the first round. Remember the advice I gave you on that one...
Also, if you want to find out what Norweigian did the same thing back in 2000 or 2001, someone like Tone or even Sherri might know his name. The sig drink was called "sweet sidamo" and was straight up sidamo brewed into tiny shooter stemmed glasses with some sugar.
Tip: explain to the judges the difference between crystal and glass (and how crystal retains heat better)... not only do you get to use the super cool illy cups (make sure your crema is solid!), but you gain barista skill points by being knowledgeable.
BTW Nick. I will get to your emails. I'm overloaded in email right now - I didn't really respond to any for five days, and I've got a back log approaching 400 to deal with. There goes my afternoon... my evening... overnight... :)
Chargers... NO2 cartridges. Surprisingly, treated as an almost "controlled substance" in some stores (apparently, they can serve some sort of altered-state purpose).
Fun? Hanging out with USBC competitors... "talking shop" with people as stupid about this stuff as you are... clinking plastic beer cups with Mark Prince... getting to see the parade of Chinese silk blouses on Sherri Johns... gawking at all of the booth-girls from South America... getting to put your hands on espresso equipment still months from official release...
Nope... no fun at all. :-P As great as Mark's photos are, they don't do the experience justice.
For those who attended, but didn't hang out with the Barista Guild group... you missed out. There's always Seattle next year.
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