This should answer your question……

Slayer makes it easy to pull perfect shots of espresso.  See more pictures

On October 14th, Fratello’s Joel May will be competiting again in the National Canadian Barista Competition.   Last year Joel finished 3rd overall in Canada, so this year we are all cheering for him to become #1.

This is a very challenging competition that takes a lot of work and constant practice.  Joel will be competing with barista’s from around Canada who have each earned the chance to compete for the chance to go to London England next year with hopes of becoming the World’s top barista.

Over the past few months barista’s have been competing across Canada in Regional Competitions and only the top 3 from each region are guaranteed a spot in the Nationals.   Shaw TV did a feature on the Prarie Regional’s held at Fratello Coffee early September.  Please watch this video which helps explain what the competition is about.

The top baristas in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Yukon will gather in Calgary on Saturday, September 12, 2009 to compete in the the 2009 Prairies Regional Barista Championships.

The second annual event, held this year at Fratello Coffee Roasters in Calgary, will feature 11 competitors from the prairies region. Each competitor has 15 minutes to prepare and serve 12 coffee beverages—four espresso, four cappuccino, and four signature drinks. Four sensory judges, two technical judges and one head judge evaluate each performance, including the taste of beverages served, cleanliness, creativity, technical skill and overall presentation of the competitors.

The top three scoring competitors earn the right to compete at the Canadian National Barista Championship, October 14 & 15 in Vancouver, as well as travel bursaries and a prize package. The public is invited to attend the event free of charge and enjoy beverages prepared by competitors at the complimentary espresso bar. The event will be broadcast live on Ustream. A link and further details can be found on the event website at http://2009prbc.com/

Also – this Friday September 11 is a Barista Jam – Open to all Professional Barista’s and coffee enthusiasts. We’ll be hanging out, pulling shots and warming up for the competition. There will also be a Latte Art Throwdown, $5 buy-in winner take all. P.S. beer will be served ;-)

See you guys this Friday & Saturday !

Here is a Schedule of Events for all compeditors

Slayer Espresso Machine @ Fratello – teaser from Chris Prefontaine on Vimeo.

It’s taken me a while to get this entry put together.  But here are some thoughts from competing in the Canadian National Barista Competition held in Montreal this year.

I need to begin by thanking the team that I had behind me, from the brothers working with me to create the blend, to Mike our Master Roaster I worked closely with to produce the roast we took, and to all the friends and family who supported me through the experience.  I literally could not have done it without you

I also need to acknowledge the competitors.  One and all they are a class act and I consider my self EXTRMELY fortunate to count myself among their number.  It’s very nice to be able to put faces to the names and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again and to keeping in touch.

I hate to admit that I did not watch any of the other competitors on the day of the finals, I was going last and it was all I could do to keep my wits about me listening to them. (Read the rest of this post)

So I finally figured out how to post on this thing…  Took me long enough… I wanted to do a short recap on my experience in my first Barista Competition at the 1st Prairie Region Barista Competition held here at Fratello and Espuccino.  We had a great field of 13 competitors of which I’m  proud to say I was one, competing over the 2 day event. 

For many of us, it was our first experience in this kind of event and despite the fact that many Barista can pound out top-notch drinks at high speed, it’s a whole new animal when you add in camera’s, spectators, up to 50 people watching online at any given time, oh and a time limit, judges, and the necessity of a running commentary.  You get the idea.  It’s fun and scary all at the same time.

For myself, I’m pretty proud of how I did.  I don’t think I actually slept all that much on Friday night as I was mentally reviewing my routine over and over (and over and over).  Since I’d never done this before, I really had no idea what to expect.  I took away a LOT of great lessons, many of which will now help me be a better Barista trainer.  I also met some great people.  This fact alone made the event worthwhile.  In the end I finished 4th and I tip my hat to all of the competitors.

An interesting thing that I experienced was that of the two days.  I was actually more nervy on Sunday than on Saturady.  (Read the rest of this post)

This weekend Fratello is hosting the Canadian Prairie Regional Barista Competition – and we’ll be streaming all the action LIVE on www.ustream.tvHere’s the URL:http://www.ustream.tv/channel/prairie-regional-barista-competitionSo, if your in Calgary – you should come to Fratello and hang out (open to the public)…and if you can’t watch it in person then make sure you check in to see who the next rock stars will be!

The Canadian Barista & Coffee Academy will be offering two days of barista training at Fratello this May 26th and 27th – following the Barista Competition.

This special training academy for barista (espresso machine operators) and those interested in learning more about coffee and espresso presents its 2008 Educational Program. The hands-on training workshops are lead by Canadian and international expert trainers and professional baristas. They are for those new to the industry or those who want to perfect their coffee skills and include: Basic Training, Advanced Training and Expert Barisa workshops.

Please refer to the schedule below for details and click here to register.

Location: Fratello Coffee

4021 9th St. SE Calgary, Alberta

403-265-2112

Monday, May 26, 2008

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Barista Level I: Beginner Barista Workshop

2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Barista level II: Advanced Barista Workshop

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Level III: Expert Barista & Latte Art Workshop

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Opening a Successful Coffee Business Seminar

2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Coffee Cupping Workshop

This coming May 24th – 25th, Fratello will be hosting the first ever Prairie Regional Barista Competition. This is an event sanctioned by the Canadian Barista Academy and the 3 winners of the PRBC will go on to compete in the Canadian National Barista Championship with that winner representing all of us at the WBCDATES:

• Barista Jam: May 17th
• Judges Certification Workshop: May 23rd
• Competition Qualifying Rounds (16 competitors): May 24th 10:00am to 4:00pm
• Finals & Award Presentation (8 competitors): May 25th 10:00am to 2:00pm

Baristas must compete in one of the 2008 Canadian Regional Championships in order qualify for entry into the Canadian National Championship. Baristas working in cafes, restaurants and foodservice establishments in each region are encouraged to sign up. One registrant per company (see rules and regulations). For rules, information and registration visit www.canadianbaristachampionship.com or www.canadianbaristaacademy.com or call: 416-784-5210

We highly recommend that if you are interested in competing – that you sign up quickly as there is a maximum of 16 competitors.

Also – they are in need to volunteers to be a competition Judge !!  This is a great way to get involved – please contact Les Kuan at ibex1989@yahoo.com to sign up.

Cheers

Jason

I pulled this on our 3gp Slayer with a PID setting of 200 F.  This shot took about 20 seconds to pull on a double basket in our naked portafilter.  After working with John (and of course the inevitable good natured competition that occurs at Fratello) for the last few months on the variations of Latte art, I had a local Barista in who showed me how he was working on a swan.  I decided to learn this new technique to raise the anti on our internal competition.  

I finally gave this a try on Friday afternoon and succeeded to beat John, making me the new Barrista Champ at Fratello.  This was my first attempt of the day, and it came through pretty good. 

Its exciting to be able to bring this kind of presentation to the cafe’s I work with, training their baristas in advanced beverage preparation techniques.  These kinds of images are in truth nothing more than evidence of the components of a drink being done correctly.  From having an espresso shot that has nice tight crema, to poperly textured milk creating very stable and sweet micro-bubbles.  

The best part is it takes no longer to prepare this drink than a tradition drink, and it also TASTES BETTER!

Below are more picture of our internal latte art competition. 

(Read the rest of this post)