LONG BEACH, Calif. - (Business Wire) The best baristas in the world will battle for the title of World Barista Champion in Atlanta, April 16-19, 2009. The 10th Annual World Barista Championship (WBC), is hosted by the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s (SCAA) and sponsored by DaVinci Gourmet (www.davincigourmet.com).

The WBC is owned by the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE) and the SCAA. The competition rotates among countries and was last held in the United States in 2005 in Seattle. This year the WBC is held in conjunction with SCAA’s annual exposition, which is the largest gathering of coffee professionals in the world. A list of the competitors is available here: www.worldbaristachampionship.com/competitors.htm.

The WBC (www.worldbaristachampionship.com) recognizes excellence in the art and skill of espresso drink preparation. Baristas are required to make 12 beverages, including four espressos, four cappuccinos and four original signature drinks of their own creation within 15 minutes in front of a panel of accomplished industry judges. Competitors are judged on taste, beverage presentation, technical skills, station cleanliness and overall impression. An international panel of seven WBC-certified judges, including one head judge, two technical judges and four sensory judges, carefully evaluate and score each of the baristas.

In addition to Host & Travel Sponsor: DaVinci Gourmet; the USBC is made possible by Espresso Machine Sponsor: Nuova Simonelli (www.nuovasimonelliusa.com), and Grinder Sponsor: Mahlkoenig (www.mahlkoenig.com). A complete list of event sponsors is available here: www.worldbaristachampionship.com/sponsors.htm.

Mike Phillips from Intelligentsia Coffee in Chicago won the title of United States Barista Championship (USBC) on March 8th in Portland, Oregon and will represent the United States at the WBC. For more information about the SCAA 21st Annual Exposition, visit www.scaaexposition.org/default.aspx.

[i}About the SCAA

The SCAA is the world’s largest coffee trade association dedicated to creating a vibrant specialty coffee community. We recognize, develop and promote specialty coffee by setting and maintaining quality standards for the industry; conducting research on coffee, equipment and perfection of craft; and providing education, training, resources and business services for members. Celebrating 26 years of success, the strength of our organization is reflective of our members who represent more than forty countries and every segment of the Specialty Coffee industry, from coffee growers to roasters and retailers. www.scaa.org.[x]