RVA_Barista Senior Member Joined: 12 Oct 2010 Posts: 1 Location: Richmond,Virginia Expertise: Pro Barista
Posted Tue Oct 12, 2010, 1:22pm Subject: Re: Less Throw Downs, More Spro Downs Please! by Mark Prince
I totally agree. More 'spro downs!
I will say I've learned from experience why so many folks do latte art throwdowns. It is easier for the person off the street to judge something visually. You got contrast, symmetry,design. Easy.
Finding the right folks to judge an espresso is WAY more challenging especially in a city with a fledgling barista culture where I reside. We should rise to the challenge, educate our customers in Espresso-ese and let the dosing, tamping,pulling & steaming begin!
It's what's in the cup that counts and if it's beautiful to boot, you've got a cherry on top!
mpscholle Senior Member Joined: 27 Oct 2010 Posts: 10 Location: Bright IN Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia Grinder: Mazzer Super Jolly Drip: No Drip, Only Press Pot Roaster: I wish
Posted Thu Oct 28, 2010, 10:26am Subject: Re: Less Throw Downs, More Spro Downs Please! by Mark Prince
Hello, This is my first post on CG.
BTW, I loved the article! So, I live in the Cincinnati, Ohio (USA) region and I would love to go to an event like this but it is so hard to find this stuff. Maybe we should start a forum or something to show where these events are, and even have a way of registering for the event there. I also think taste is more important than the visual aspect of coffee, but espresso may be one of the most visually appalling drinks on the planet so why couldn’t you mix both aspects? Not to make things to difficult but you could have a “with” and “without” milk category. Both categories would be heavily judged on the taste aspect of the shot.
MarkPrince Moderator Joined: 19 Dec 2001 Posts: 5,462 Location: Vancouver, BC Expertise: Professional
Espresso: KvdW Speedster Grinder: Compak K10 WBC Vac Pot: A bit too many Drip: Clive Coffee Drip Stand Roaster: Hario Glass Retro Roaster
Posted Wed Nov 17, 2010, 3:41pm Subject: Re: Less Throw Downs, More Spro Downs Please! by Mark Prince
Woot - a spro down is in the works:
Cafe For Contemporary Art 140 East Esplanade North Vancouver, BC (Canada)
20 November · 19:00 - 21:00
Can't we baristas just get together and share a few shots? Baristas from all around are invited to the cafe for contemporary art for a Spro-Down, there will be prizes, all-star baristiati, and tonnes of espresso.
Here's the deal.
BYO-Spro, bring a bag of espresso you love. Sign up, hang-out with baristas from all over the city (even province), wait your turn, then dial in your brew, and share a shot with some judges and others. Make it taste awesome, tell us about it. Give sips to the curious and... well hang out and enjoy.
The charge is 5$/person. with 1/2 going to prizes and another half going to Coffee Kids...
Should be fun.
Its organised by a gang of local baristas and hosted by the cafe for contemporary art.
Trombles Senior Member Joined: 6 Sep 2004 Posts: 6 Location: Nelson, B.C. Expertise: Pro Roaster
Drip: Chemex 6 cup. Roaster: 50's era UG22 Probat. Full...
Posted Sat Feb 19, 2011, 3:29pm Subject: Re: Less Throw Downs, More Spro Downs Please! by Mark Prince
Ha, I saw a few porta filters with splitters on them! I would think the first thing a barista would do in a competition of this sort would be to grab the naked group! Or at least pull a crescent wrench out of their pocked and get rid of the splitter. Splitsville Splitter!
daschlag Senior Member Joined: 13 Feb 2011 Posts: 34 Location: Seattle Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: Silvia Grinder: Vario Drip: Cuisinart programmable...
Posted Thu Feb 24, 2011, 12:43pm Subject: Re: Less Throw Downs, More Spro Downs Please! by Mark Prince
Why choose? I for one feel there is a place for both, and that they can each create their own type of atmosphere, following, and culture. Or maybe they could even be combined - two categories within the same event. I don't think it's really fair to criticize the art showdown for not being technical or having enough substance. It's just a different flair on the same general interest.
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