US Coffee Championships Prelims at the RNY Lab: Barista

In case you missed out on the Brewer’s Cup Post… The U.S. Coffee Championships are a series of three events celebrating specialty coffee: the U.S. CoffeeChamps Preliminaries, the U.S. CoffeeChamps Qualifying Events, and the U.S. Coffee Championships (Produced by the Specialty Coffee Association.) The U.S. Coffee Champions will then move on to the World Coffee Championships in Boston or Berlin later this year.

What are US Coffee Championships competitions about?

At the U.S. CoffeeChamps Barista Prelims, competitors will have 7 minutes to make espressos and milk beverages (from a chosen coffee provided by Royal NY) for 2 sensory judges. competitors are judged on not only the taste of their drinks but, the presentation, accuracy of their tasting descriptors and their technical skills as well!

We here at Royal NY are excited to have the opportunity to host one of the 2020 preliminary events and start the journey for a competitor to potentially win the World Championship! 

If you are interested in attending, please register via our Lab Calendar.

Upcoming Competitors

Hyacinth-Rosalinda Rios

Hya is from Jola Coffee.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself:

A: My name is Hyacinth-Rosalinda Rios, and I go by either Hya or Rosie! I am 23 years old, Ecuadorianx and nonbinary. I live in New Jersey, where I have an angel cat named Lentil and I am the lead barista at a shop I truly believe to be changing the NJ specialty coffee scene: Jola Coffee. Keeping true to my name’s floral roots (har har…), I love anything and everything green. Notable favorites being the outdoors, green veggies, and Kermit the Frog.

Jenna Gotthelf

Jenna Gotthelf is from Counter Culture Coffee.

Q: Why compete?

A: Competition is a great way to both push yourself and the industry forward at the same time. It is a way to represent and share ideas on a stage built for innovating coffee.

Felix Torres

Felix Torres is from Starbucks Reserve Roastery.

Q: Favorite cup of coffee lately?

A: Burundi

Q: Favorite drink that’s not coffee?

A: Orange juice

Jinwoo Ahn

Jinwoo Ahn is from Cafe Grumpy.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

A: I moved to USA when I was 13 years old. After graduating middle school and high school, I entered college for business major. However, it didn’t last long. I didn’t have a dream and did not know what to do with my life. It was 2 years ago that I got to know Heartbreaker (an espresso blend) from Cafe Grumpy and fell in love with coffee. I immediately joined Cafe Grumpy. Since then, I’ve met different kinds of people and coffee. Enjoying my days working in coffee industry.

Alex

Alex is from Flux Coffee.

Q: Favorite thing to drink that’s not coffee?

A: Scotch, Lemon Snapple, Ginger ale

Christopher Ortiz

Christopher Ortiz is from Modcup.

Q: Favorite cup of coffee lately?

A: Colombia Pacamara

Mario Febres

Mario Febres is from Double Dutch Espresso.

Q: Favorite cup of coffee lately?

A: I recently had a delicious Esmeralda Geisha roasted by George Howell Roasters and it shook me.

Barry Taft

Barry Taft is an independent competitor.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

A: I’m the current manager at Intelligentsia Coffee’s Watertown, Massachusetts Coffee Bar. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, playing guitar in my metal band, and petting my two cats Winter and Ragnar.

Become a Competitor!

Ever wonder what goes into competing? or what the competitors drinks taste like?  The best first step in getting involved in competition is volunteering!  To volunteer please just choose one of the volunteer ticket options and we will follow up with you in terms of availability and qualifications shortly!  We appreciate your help regardless of what you feel your skill level is or your availability!