Coffee Fest Chicago Pours Big Numbers.

The specialty coffee industry is thriving, if attendance at Coffee Fest Chicago presented by Equal is any indication.  Held February 23-25, 2007 at Chicago’s Navy Pier, over 4,000 coffee shop retailers, restaurateurs, entrepreneurs and other specialty coffee professionals sampled the latest in specialty coffee, tea and related products.

Attendance was up 15 percent and exhibitor participation was up 20 percent over the Chicago’s 2005 show figures.

Awards were given to the top three new products at Coffee Fest Chicago.  More than 30 new products were judged by industry professionals who evaluated the appeal of each product to retailers as well as the innovation or technological advancement the product demonstrated.

Brugo Mugs by Jolex took first place honors for their patented, thermodynamic travel mugs which cool hot beverages one sip-sized portion at a time, delivering peak freshness and flavor while keeping the remainder of the beverage at its hottest and most aromatic. In addition to the cooling chamber, three easily adjustable lid settings (lock, tip & cool, and sip) allow for optimum convenience, eliminating accidental spills and spatters as well as scalding burns.  Available in a variety of colors, BRUGO’s elegant design and sleek chrome accents will emphasize your discriminating taste.

Second place went to Gourmet Divine’s Gourmet Chocolate Coffee Bark – available in 3 flavors… Coco’latte Coffee Bark, Caramel Latte Coffee Bark, and Double Shot Espresso Coffee Bark. Layers of chocolate and rich coffee offering the best of both in a chocolate bar!  Available in multiple sizes.

Third place was Coffee Masters with Private Reserve Coffee Jewels. Geared toward the discerning coffee connoisseur, the Private Reserve selections are hand picked and purchased from small, family-owned farms from around the globe. To ensure quality, these exceptional beans are grown in small lots and are only available in limited quantities.  Now packaged in an elegant black 12 oz valve bag box, each Private Reserve in the collection boasts a bright band with origin and farm specific information, individually numbered in its order of introduction into the market.

The Coffee Fest Chicago Millrock Free Pour Latte Art Competition featured the most talented talent pool to date and the competition was extremely tight between all 20 baristi as they vied for the championship and the $1,000 first prize.

Taking home top honors were:

1st place   Chris Baca – Ritual Coffee Roasters, San Francisco CA
2nd place   Andy Carey – Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea, Chicago IL
3rd place   Justin Teisl – Alterra Coffee Roasters, Milwaukee WI

Competitors came from all over the country and as far away as Tokyo to compete for the highly coveted Coffee Fest Chicago Latte Art Championship.

Coffee Fest presented by Equal is a trade show catering to the specialty coffee and gourmet tea industries.  Coffee Fest’s remaining 2007 schedule includes Coffee Fest Atlanta, in conjunction with the Great American Dessert Expo, at the Cobb Galleria June 1-3, 2007 and Coffee Fest Seattle November 9-11, 2007 at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center.

For more information, please visit www.coffeefest.com or call 425.283.5058.

Contact: David Heilbrunn, 425 283 5058 ext. 13