Spirited Weekend at the East Coast's Major Barista Guild of America Meeting
In Durham, North Carolina, from January 17-19, 2014, the Barista Guild of America held its annual regional competition. This year, the Northeast and Southeast events were held under the same roof, making for a lively and competitive atmosphere. The event, known as Big Eastern, attracted hundreds of spectators who came to watch competitive baristas and brewers showcase their skills.
One of the standout competitors was J. Park Brannen, a barista from Counter Culture Coffee. Brannen impressed the judges with his unique approach to coffee-making, winning the title of Best Barista in the Northeast region.
Brannen's specialty drink, a mock gin and tonic with chilled shots of espresso, was a hit with the judges. The drink contained 18 ingredients, most of which were steeped into his homemade tonic syrup. Brannen served his competition drinks in a three-part round: espresso, cappuccino, and a specialty drink, all from the same roast, in 15 minutes or less.
Brannen's winning coffee was a sun-dried, natural-processed coffee developed in collaboration by Counter Culture and a grower from Burundi. This coffee was used in all of Brannen's competition drinks.
Dallis Bros., a century-old New York artisan roaster, and Counter Culture Coffee, a Durham- and New York-based outfit, co-sponsored the event. The organization that sponsored the Big Eastern event for years is the Eastern Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Other organizations involved include the ASCE NC Section and local partners who participate in related events such as the Eastern Branch Golf Tournament, which supports the ASCE NC Section Scholarship Fund.
Anna Cassell, a part-time film documentary filmmaker and food lover, was also in attendance. Cassell has worked at various organic farms around the world and has an adventurous spirit, having slept in unusual places such as barns, buses, and on straw, and having harvested wild cherries and scrubbed dirt off carrots.
As Brannen prepares to compete in the 2014 United States Barista Championship in Seattle, Washington, he has resolved to improve his skills for future competitions. Brannen aims to "up his game" and "get better at what he does." J. Park Brannen's win at the Big Eastern competition is a testament to his dedication and passion for the art of coffee-making.
Read also:
- Impact of Alcohol on the Human Body: Nine Aspects of Health Alteration Due to Alcohol Consumption
- Understanding the Concept of Obesity
- Tough choices on August 13, 2025 for those born under Aquarius? Consider the advantages and disadvantages to gain guidance
- Microbiome's Impact on Emotional States, Judgement, and Mental Health Conditions
