Pic Today 4/13/13

HOMETOWN FAVORITE

COMPETES FOR U.S. BEST BARISTA

Specialty coffee roaster Kaldi's Coffee, St. Louis,

has sent its best coffee and best barista to Boston

this weekend, for the U.S. Barista Championship.

Kaldi's barista, Jacque DesMarais, competed with

hundreds of other baristas these last two days,

and has made it to the semi-finals today,

(16 finalists from cities around the U.S.)

6 finalists will compete Sunday for the title,

"U.S. Barista Champion 2013."

We were lucky enough to taste the featured coffee

Jacque has chosen -- two rare single-origin grower beans

from Colombia's Monserrate region -- at a cupping

at the Kaldi's roastery in St. Louis.  (Yum!)

60 countries will send their "best baristas"as chosen

 national champion to Melbourne, Australia,

next month for the ultimate competition:

the 2013 World Barista Championship.

(Jacque's performance Friday was streamed live

so Kaldi's team members could cheer her on.)

Here's hoping Jacque represents the U.S. in Melbourne.

(This humble blogger will be covering the event.)