SERBC 2010 Wrapup

The SERBC is finally over and I can take a minute or two to recollect (and then I have to get back to work 'cause there aint no rest for dashing erstwhile-young entrepreneurs of the modern era).

First, I should congratulate Lem Butler, Dale Donchey and Chandler Rentz for their performances this year. They all did a great job of bringing up expectations for coffee here in the southeast. Hats off especially to Lem, who seems nigh unbeatable. He is as professional and engaging as any barista could (and should) hope to be.

Next let me say that this pool of baristas was the best it's ever been. No one walked off stage in tears or gave up in frustration and though several people went over-time they still had the presence of mind to finish their routines. It was an impressive competition.

Having said that, it makes Coffee & Crema's success there all the more wonderful. I can't begin to tell you well Alex and Caleb did. They both brought superb performances to the judges and walked away with very respectable scores. It is worth noting that neither of them went over time, which seemed to be a real problem the first day.

Alex's run came in the middle of the first day, sandwiched in between seventeen other competitors. His espresso was a blend of Sumatra & Colombia and was one of the more distinctive espressos of the competition, with two distinct flavor profiles - cocoa in the front and after 30 seconds nothing but red fruit. It was delicious.

Caleb perfomed at the tail end of the second day. He had the most time to worry but he had brought his wing man, Jim Croce, for backup and pulled off his routine with aplomb. He brought a Burundi espresso and served his judges a dirty hippie with avocado. How's that for moxy?

I was the ultimate competitor (never say last!) on the first day, perfoming a couple spots after Lem. I was really nervous and it certainly showed but I didn't break anything, go over time (though I scared everyone a little by going up to 14.59.57), vomit on or kill anyone. Still, it was not what I had hoped to get up and do. Here at the shop I feel at home and alway think I can carry the spontenaity I have here (as moronic as it might be, at times) to other venues, like the SERBC. Apparently that is not the case. So by Saturday afternoon I had already packed my gear and equipment and was ready to go home. I was utterly certain I wasn't going on to the finals. My plan was to stand with a smile in the lineup for the announcements and not look disappointed.

They called Lem, Dale, Chandler, Dustin Mattson and Dave DelChamps and I was even more sure by that point that I wasn't going to the next round. There were so many better performances! Then they called me and I couldn't believe it. I kept that smile in place and took my spot.

Oh if it had only ended there!

The next day I performed again and thought I was doing OK. Then, I noticed that I hadn't served the judges their water a second time. More importantly I didn't tell them to stir their signature drink. What a stupid thing to forget. "Stir, please." Geez. Anyway, I'm sure everyone has a reason why they didn't place better.

So in short, Coffee & Crema did great! I'm really proud to be a part of what's happening to coffee in the Southeast and I really hope it vitalizes coffee in the Greenville area. Congrats to everyone that got up to compete this past weekend and super-congrats to Alex & Caleb.

On a quick final note: Tonight is the Latte Art Hoedown here at the Forest Park shop. Things kick off at 7:30 p.m. and we hope to see you here!